Issue
Tobacco use is the single
most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Each year, approximately 443,000 Americans
die from tobacco-related illnesses. On
average, smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than nonsmokers. For
every person who dies from tobacco use, 20 more people suffer with at least one
serious tobacco-related illness. Coupled with this enormous health toll is the
significant economic burden of tobacco use – more than $96 billion a year in
medical costs and another $97 billion a year from lost productivity.