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For further information contact the
Office of Communication
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Building 16, D-42
1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30333
E-mail:
HComm@cdc.gov |
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Resources for TV Writers and Producers
Smoking-Related Diseases
What's the Problem?
Many young people use tobacco even though it is the leading preventable
cause of death and disease in the United States. Tobacco use is associated
with increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and many
other serious disorders. The leading cause of cancer-related deaths for both
men and women is lung cancer.
Nicotine can cause increased heart rate and blood pressure and decreased
appetite. The younger a person begins smoking, the greater the risk of
developing the many illnesses associated with smoking. Withdrawal from
nicotine addiction is like withdrawal from other highly addictive substances
like heroin and alcohol, but it can be done.
Who's at Risk?
In 2000, an estimated 46.5 million adults were current smokers, and in
2001, 28.5 percent of high school students currently smoked cigarettes.
Approximately 80% of tobacco use occurs for the first time among youth under
the age of 18. Every day, nearly 5,000 young people under the age of 18 try
their first cigarette. More than 6.4 million children living today will die
prematurely because of a decision they will make as adolescents - the
decision to smoke cigarettes.
Some factors contributing to tobacco use by youth are poor performance in
school, low self-esteem, the belief that tobacco use is normal, and lack of
self-confidence in their ability to say "no".
In 2000, about 27,000 more women died of lung cancer (about 68,000) than
of breast cancer (about 41,000). In 1997, approximately 165,000 women died
prematurely from smoking-related diseases, including lung and other cancers,
heart disease, stroke and chronic lung diseases such as emphysema. Women
also face unique health effects from smoking such as problems related to
pregnancy.
Can It Be Prevented?
Yes. The risk of smoking-related disease is greatly reduced if someone
never smokes. About 70% of smokers want to quit; however, less than
one-quarter are successful. Most young people who smoke are addicted to
nicotine; they say they want to quit but can't. Successful school-based
smoking prevention programs involve parents, mass media, community
organizations, or other elements of an adolescent's social environment.
Tobacco use prevention education is more effective when the school/community
education program is supported in the home.
The Bottom Line
The risks of smoking include: increased risk of coronary heart disease;
stroke; ulcers; peripheral artery disease; and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Smoking also increases the risk for several types of cancers
including mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, lung, bladder, and cervix. The
leading cause of cancer death for both men and women is lung cancer. It's
very difficult to quit smoking. Our goal should be prevention.
Case Example
Alice has something wrong with her lungs. She has now smoked for more
than 10 years and believes this is the cause of her lung problem. She
reaches this conclusion because nobody in her family has had lung problems
or smoked. Alice consults a physician and finds out that she has emphysema.
Eventually, she receives a lung transplant. Things are fine for a while but
problems arise and medical science cannot do anything; Alice's body rejects
the transplanted lung. Although Alice is waiting for another lung, hoping
for better results, she is now terminally ill.
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