Fewer people today are smoking cigarettes than ever before. Some of this is because of the better knowledge we all have right now about the dangers of smoking. The huge warning labels that say “Smoking Kills” contribute to better choices as well. Yet some people are still choosing to smoke. Why is this? It could be because of some of these interesting facts.
1. Many Smokers Begin Early
Most smokers are going to smoke their first cigarette before the age of 18. According to information from the US government, 90% of smokers start smoking during their childhood years. When the age is extended out to 26, 98% of people who will start smoking will have already had their first cigarette. The numbers of new smokers every day are rather staggering. More than 3,200 youth are going to start smoking today. Of that number, about 2,000 of them are going to become addicted to smoking.
2. Lots of People Are Doing It
Despite many public service campaigns that detail the dangers of smoking, many people today consider themselves to be smokers. 20% of the US population, in fact, still smokes on a daily basis. The percentages are about equal amongst youth and adults. 1 in 5 out of both population demographics are regular smokers. The good news is that these rates have been cut in half over the last 50 years. In 1964, 42% of the American population were regular smokers.
3. Smoking Damages the Lungs
One of the leading causes of death in the United States is lung cancer. When the cause of the cancer is looked at, about 90% of all lung cancer cases have been caused by smoking. If lung cancer isn’t in the equation, then COPD is probably going to happen. 80% of COPD cases are directly linked to smoking as well. It happens to women more often than it happens to me. Women who choose to smoke are 40x more likely to develop COPD than those who choose not to smoke.
4. It’s Killing the Kids
In looking at the total population of children in the US right now, there are 5.6 million kids who are going to die prematurely because of their choice to begin smoking or because of their exposure to second-hand smoke. In real terms, that means 1 in 13 kids is going to die prematurely from a cause that is entirely preventable.
Obesity is often looked at as part of the diabetes epidemic, but smoking has to be included as part of the conversation. Smokers are up to 40% more likely to develop diabetes than non-smokers.
5. Second-hand Smoke Kills
More than 100,000 deaths that have been recorded over the last 5 decades are of infants who died of SIDS while exposed to second-hand smoke. Another 400,000 children are born every year with smoking exposure because their mothers sneaked a cigarette here and there. In total, more than 33,000 non-smokers die every year because of their exposure to second-hand smoke.
Smoking might be considered a personal decision or right, but it can have negative consequences for everyone. By knowing these facts, better and healthier decisions can be made so that everyone can have the chance to experience a long, fulfilling life.