Tobacco still kills 480,000 Americans annually

Posted April 18, 2022

By Tay Krouse and Joshua Wayaan

Cub Investigative Reporters

Tobacco, specifically the common practice of smoking, kills approximately 480,000 Americans annually, while shortening lifespans with related diseases and cancers.

Tobacco's global market is worth approximately $200 billion and is estimated to only go up. China leads the world in the consumption of tobacco. One popular brand specifically, Marlboro, has a value worth over $35 billion, making it the most valuable brand in 2021. Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, 69 of which can cause cancer. The burning of nitrous acid and nicotine creates an addictive chemical in cigarettes and other nicotine products, which causes cancers, heart and lung disease, and stroke. Tobacco smoke is classified into three layers: first, second, and third-hand smoke, all of which are harmful to the body and can affect household members who do not smoke, to random passersby on the sidewalk.

The most commonly known of the three would be first-hand exposure to smoke, the direct inhalation of toxic metals and gasses. Even vaping contains heavy metals, such as lead and manganese, which can cause neurological defects. The longterm effects of tobacco on the human lungs is severe.

“[Tobacco] gums it all up and turns [the lungs] dark,” said DDHS nurse Tracy Johnson.

Secondhand smoke consists of the exhaled vapors inhaled by nonsmokers from a cigarette or a vape stick or a cigar or even a pipe. Bystanders exposed to secondhand smoke risk heart diseases, lung cancer, and strokes even if they have never smoked themselves. Pregnant women who are continuously exposed to first and secondhand smoke risk infants born with low birth weight and birth defects. Some have even suffered SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Thirdhand Smoke is caused when tobacco vapors are trapped on surfaces such as furniture, carpet, and draperies. Microscopic residue becomes imbedded in carpet fibers, couches, blankets, and pillows. Vapor, which contains trace amounts of carbon monoxide, cyanide, and nicotine, can be trapped in household items for as little as a few weeks to multiple years. Children growing up in a household with thirdhand smoke are often diagnosed with asthma or even pneumonia. Crawling on furniture, sitting in cars, and putting objects in their mouths are just a few of the daily things a child does that can be affected by thirdhand smoke. However, cleaning a contaminated home or car owned by a smoker is expensive and requires professional cleaning. Smoke can stain walls, floors, and ceilings that can't be painted over until removed.

Mental health can be the leading factor in why someone starts smoking. During the pandemic, many people of all age groups have been under stress, including the students at David Douglas High School.

“The community here has been in a lot of stress," said Johnson. "Globally, there has been a lot of stress. So a lot of people do tend to turn to substances to cope with this stress.”

Smoking at a young age can lead to a severe addiction to nicotine, making it significantly more difficult to quit when older.

“In 2020, 20.7% of people aged 12 or older (or 57.3 million people) used nicotine products,” stated SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

Quitting is much easier said than done. According to a study published in the current issue of Nicotine Addiction & Tobacco Research, about 60% to 90% of smokers relapse within the first year. There are many methods to quit smoking, no matter the age, including nicotine replacement therapy, relaxation techniques, avoiding triggers, support groups, and counseling. The hardest part is the withdrawal. Many smokers use nicotine products as a stress reliever, so quitting might give them some emotional distress. It's best to find new and healthy coping mechanisms.

Although David Douglas library does not have resources about quitting nicotine-related products, local libraries are a good way to find resources. Johnson recommends The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr.

“The changes happen so quick after you quit,” Johnson said.