Facts & Statistics

Tobacco dependence is our nation's most preventable cause of death and disease. Nationally, tobacco use if responsible for nearly one in five deaths or an estimated 440,000 deaths per year. That's approximately 1,200 people each day – more than deaths caused by alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car crashes, fires and AIDS combined.

Tobacco use is the No. 1 cause of all cancers and emphysema, and it is a leading preventable cause of heart disease and stroke. Tobacco use among pregnant women contributes to low birth weight and premature delivery. Besides lung cancer, tobacco use also causes increased risk for cancer of the mouth, nasal cavities, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterine cervix and myeloid leukemia.

Patients who smoke have twice the risk of postoperative infection.

Smoking causes more than $167 billion in annual health-related costs, including adult mortality-related productivity costs, adult medical expenditures and medical expenditures for newborns.

Ader, B. (2010). University of Florida Goes Tobacco-Free Come July. Retrieved from http://floridaindependent.com/2688/university-of-florida-goes-tobacco-free-come-july.