Smoking Linked to More U.S. Illnesses, Deaths

Smoking causes hundreds of thousands of deaths each year in this country, but a new study shows the problem is much worse than previously thought.

According to the United States Surgeon General, about 480,000 Americans die of smoking-related illnesses annually, however, recently published data in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that another 60,000 deaths a year and at least five more diseases are linked to tobacco. The American Cancer Society previously listed 21 diseases linked to smoking, including 12 types of cancer.

“The results of this new study are not surprising,” says Patricia Folan, DNP, director ofNorth Shore-LIJ’s Center for Tobacco Control. “Smoking infiltrates every part of the body and we know one cigarette alone contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including poisons and carcinogens, and over time causes detrimental health effects.”

Dr. Folan notes that 87 percent of lung cancer deaths are attributed to smoking, as are other cancers and numerous serious health conditions, according to the Surgeon General’s report. Smoking is responsible for causing deaths in 32 percent of coronary heart disease patients and 79 percent of all COPD deaths. Tobacco also is attributed to cancers such as esophagus, oropharynx, larynx, stomach, pancreas, kidney, cervix, and bladder. Smoking is also linked to SIDS, complications of pregnancy, low birth weight, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and immune system weakness, impaired fertility, stroke, blindness, as well as cataracts and macular degeneration and aneurysms.

“Often we see in the news that tobacco or smoking rates are declining, so it may be considered less of a public health threat than in the past and that smoking or tobacco use is no longer a huge concern.” says Dr. Folan. “People should not be complacent; the impact that smoking has on disease, disability and death rates is tremendous.”

Tobacco is still a top health priority not only in the U.S. but worldwide, Dr. Folan says, and most smoking-related deaths and illnesses are preventable.

“You are never too young or too old to quit and never too sick or too well to quit,” notes Dr. Folan. “You will always receive benefits from quitting. Even at the end-of-life, quitting can provide you with additional oxygen for stamina and allow you to live your remaining days or weeks more comfortably, perhaps being able to communicate better with your family and friends. Quitting while you’re young and in good health can help you avoid the many tobacco-related illnesses associated with smoking.”

If you or a loved one wants to quit smoking, Dr. Folan suggests to first, speak with your healthcare provider to learn about evidence-based strategies that are most likely to help you succeed, such as practical counseling, cessation medications and support.

Also, take advantage of quitline phone counseling, local cessation programs such as the North Shore-LIJ Center for Tobacco Control at 516-466-1980, or try online programs from organizations such as the American Lung Associations, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the American Cancer Society and the New York State Smokers’ Quitline.