Smoking

Smoking Facts and Statistics

Prevalence

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 21% of adults over the age 18 in the United States smoke cigarettes (about 1 in 5 people). Other statistics about smoking include the following:

• About 80% of smokers start before the age of 18.
• Every day nearly 4,000 12–17 year olds in the United States start smoking.
• About 22% of high school students in the United States smoke cigarettes.
• About 8% of middle school student in the United States smoke cigarettes.

Statistics about the Health Effects of Smoking

• The most common causes of death among smokers are cardiovascular (heart) diseases, tobacco-related cancers, and respiratory diseases.
• About 430,000 deaths per year are linked to cigarette smoking.
• In the United States, more people are killed each year by cigarettes than by alcohol, car crashes, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined.

Statistics about Secondhand Smoke Effects

• Thirty minutes of secondhand smoke can impair the normal flow of blood to the heart in non-smokers.
• Secondhand smoke is responsible for about 3,000 lung cancer and tens of thousands of heart disease deaths per year in non-smokers.
• Levels of secondhand smoke in restaurants have been found to be 2–5 times greater than those in a home with smokers.
• Secondhand smoke causes between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory infections in children younger than 18 months and results in 7,000–15,000 hospitalizations each year.
• About 1,900–2,700 infants die of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) each year due to secondhand smoke.

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Quit Smoking Facts

• Cigarette sales dropped by an average of 43% in 4 states where strong tobacco control programs were funded and maintained.
• Most successful ex-smokers have tried to quit an average of 7 times before they were successful.
• Smoking withdrawal symptoms usually peak at 3 days and then begin to subside.
• Smokers who also suffer from depression have a more difficult time quitting than smokers who are not depressed.

Sources: All statistics are from the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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