Tobacco and Smoking
About Tobacco Use
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S.[1] Each year, tobacco kills more people than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined.[2]
In Texas, cigarette smoking alone kills 28,000 people each year. It also costs the state more than $34 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity.[3]
Conventional tobacco products include but are not limited to cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and smokeless tobacco like chew and snuff.
E-cigarettes are part of an emerging class of tobacco products. Please visit E-Cigarettes and Vaping for more information.
Health Effects
Tobacco harms almost every organ of the body. It can also lead to nicotine addiction.[4]
- Cause cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and lung diseases.
- Increase the risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis.
- Trigger an asthma attack for people who have asthma.
- Cause oral disease, including gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss.
- Make it harder for women to become pregnant.
- Increases the risks for stillbirth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome.
Addiction
Nicotine is the highly addictive chemical found in cigarettes, cigars, snuff, and other tobacco products.[8] Nicotine is as addictive as heroin and cocaine.[9] Symptoms of nicotine addiction include cravings, withdrawal, and continued use despite health problems.[10]
Benefits of Quitting
It is important to remember that addiction is a chronic disease, not a moral failing. If you have tried to quit before and were not successful, that is okay. Quitting is different for everyone, and it is never too late to quit.
- Improves a person’s health and enhances quality of life.
- Reduces the risk of premature death and increases life expectancy.
- Reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and lung diseases.
- Benefits people already diagnosed with coronary heart disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Benefits the health of pregnant women and their infants.
- Benefits people of all ages who use tobacco, including those who have smoked for many years or who have smoked heavily.
- Reduces the financial cost of nicotine addiction on people who use tobacco, healthcare systems, and society.
If you are ready to quit, we can help.
The Texas Tobacco Quitline offers free, confidential, and convenient cessation services to Texas residents ages 13 and older. This includes quit coaching and up to 2 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy.
Call 877-937-7848 (877-YES-QUIT) or visit YesQuit.org to get started on your quit journey today.
References
[1] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress. A Report of the Surgeon General.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. (2022). The Toll of Tobacco in Texas. www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-us/texas.
[4] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress. A Report of the Surgeon General.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking. www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm.
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Smokeless Tobacco: Health Effects. www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/smokeless/health_effects/index.htm.
[8] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1988). The Health Consequences of Smoking—Nicotine Addiction. A Report of the Surgeon General.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Smoking Cessation. A Report of the Surgeon General.
[12] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Benefits of Quitting. www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/how_to_quit/benefits/index.htm.