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Effects of smoking on health care costs
1Department of Health Administration and Policy, OUHSC, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, USA.
Insights
Cigarette smoking is a leading preventable cause of death in the US, causing addiction and numerous serious health issues. It significantly increases mortality rates and risks for various cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Smoking is the primary preventable cause of death in the United States.
- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report approximately 419,000 annual smoking-related deaths.
- Cigarette smoking is a major contributor to premature mortality, accounting for one-third of deaths in working-age Americans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significant health risks associated with cigarette smoking.
- To inform the public and healthcare professionals about the wide-ranging consequences of smoking.
- To emphasize the preventable nature of smoking-related deaths and diseases.
Main Methods:
- This abstract summarizes existing data and estimates from the CDC regarding smoking prevalence and mortality.
- It reviews established medical literature on the health effects of smoking.
- Information is synthesized to present a comprehensive overview of smoking's impact.
Main Results:
- Smoking is psychologically and physiologically addictive.
- It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (coronary artery disease, stroke), lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and emphysema.
- Smoking is linked to cancers of the larynx, oral cavity, esophagus, pancreas, and urinary bladder.
- Maternal smoking causes adverse effects on infants, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, miscarriage, and sudden infant death syndrome.
- Careless smoking poses risks of severe burns and fatalities.
- Adverse effects extend to non-smokers through second-hand smoke exposure.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoking is a critical public health issue with devastating and widespread health consequences.
- Reducing smoking rates is essential for preventing premature mortality and a broad spectrum of diseases.
- Public health initiatives and awareness campaigns are crucial to combat the epidemic of smoking.
Abstract:
Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that smoking kills approximately 419,000 people in the United States each year. Cigarette smoking is the nation's leading cause of premature mortality, and is responsible for one-third of all deaths among working-age Americans. Smoking cigarettes is both psychologically and physiologically addictive. Smoking is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary artery disease, stroke, carcinoma of the lung, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and emphysema. It also increases the risk for peripheral vascular disease and is associated with cancers of the larynx, oral cavity, esophagus, pancreas, and urinary bladder. Smoking by pregnant women can cause adverse health effects on their babies, like low birth weight and preterm delivery; increases the risk of miscarriage; and has also been found to be an important cause of sudden infant death syndrome. Careless smoking also can cause severe burn injuries and death. Many of these adverse effects of smoking occur in "second-hand" smokers.