Fact: Smoking Kills

FACT: Smoking Kills

Smoking kills over 400,000 people a year—that’s more than AIDS, murder, suicide, drug overdose, and fires combined. One of the most harmful effects smoking can have on someone is the physical damage it does to the body. Smoking causes cancer in many vital organs and places of the body.

HEART	Smoking triples your rate of dying from heart disease
LUNGS	Smoking is involved in 85% of all lung cancer victims
MOUTH	Smoking can cause cancer of the lips, tongue, larynx, and esophagus

Who Else Does Smoking Effect?

Passive, or second hand smoke, occurs when the exhaled smoke from one person’s cigarette is inhaled by other people. Second hand smoke is the number one reason why the government has introduced smoking bans. Some states have passed laws that prevent smoking in most public places including bars, restaurants, and workplaces.

Number of Deaths from Passive Smoke Per Year	53,000
Risk of Getting Cancer from Marrying a Smoker	Double that of a non smoker

How Can I Quit?

Smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death. There are many different types of over the counter drugs including pills, gum, and patches that can slowly help you quit.

Within 24 Hours of Quitting	You decrease your risk of sudden heart attack
Within 1 Year of Quitting	Risk of heart disease is cut in half
Within 5 Years of Quitting	Chances of dying from lung cancer decrease 50%
Within 10 Years of Quitting	Precancerous cells return to normal and your risk of most cancers becomes similar to that of a nonsmoker
Within 15 Years of Quitting	Risk of heart disease is that of a nonsmoker

Remember: It’s Never Too Late To Stop Smoking