Smoking

Primary Listings

American Lung Association (lung.org)

American Lung Association (lung.org) site includes extensive references for chronic lung disease such as asthma, COPD emphysema and chronic bronchitis, as well as lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and other factors, such as smoking, that affect the lungs. Special feature on e-cigarettes and vaping. The organization also maintains a HelpLine staffed by Registered Nurses and Registered Respiratory Therapists to answer your lung health questions at 1-800-LUNGUSA (or 800-548-8252). Or submit a question via online chat to the ALA. Regarding Covid, here’s what the Association says: “The majority of people recover from COVID-19 within a few weeks, but it can be life-threatening. Currently, four COVID-19 vaccines are widely available for everyone 6 months of age and older.” The American Lung Association has also developed a Support Community for Long Covid.

Aneurysms (MedlinePlus)

The ad-free Aneurysms website by MedlinePlus includes AAA – abdominal aortic aneurysm (which CDC states is caused by smoking), cerebral (brain) aneurysm, peripheral aneurysms and stroke, angiograms, catheter angiography, CT or MR Angiography, duplex ultrasound, surgical aneurysm repair, catheter embolization

Cancer Information – Call 1-800-4-Cancer (free info)

Get free cancer information by calling 1-800-4-CANCER. The National Cancer Institute offers this toll-free number to call 1-800-422-6237 to answer your questions about cancer, and help you quit smoking. Available Mon-Fri. 9 a.m.- 9pm. Can also get help online from a cancer information specialist. The service is confidential

Cigarette Smoking Among Adults – United States, 2020

Cigarette Smoking Among Adults – United States gives official 2020 tobacco use statistics from CDC. The US Healthy People 2030 goal is to reduce the percent of adults smoking to 5% of the population – a more aggressive goal than in 2020. Data for 2020 showed 12.5% of adults smoked. For those with less than $35,000 household income, one in five smoked cigarettes. High school graduates had a 17.6% smoking rate, compared to 3.5% for those who had a graduate degree. Over one in three (26.9%) of those with depression smoked cigarettes. The highest rate of adult smokers was ages 45 to 64, at almost 15%. Smoking rates were highest in the Midwest. About 480,000 deaths per year are attributed to smoking. The latest MMWR reports on tobacco, e-cigarettes and youth smoking can be accessed here. Data are based on the National Health Interview Survey.

Health Consequences of Smoking

What are the health consequences of smoking? Check out CDC’s overview of other diseases influenced or caused by smoking. Did you know that smoking can cause diabetes? Updated 2022. Causal links are now proven between smoking AND liver cancer, colorectal cancer, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, fertility problems, low birth weight, and age-related macular degeneration, as well as other known health problems such as lung cancer. Exposure to second hand smoke is a cause of stroke.

Results from National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, published January 2023. Very detailed report on use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, illegal drugs, depression, mental illness, co-occurring disorders, both adults and teens. Includes misuse of prescription drugs. Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States published by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Smoking (MedlinePlus) Editor's Pick

MedlinePlus ad-free website on smoking. According to the CDC, adults who smoke cigarettes die on average 10 years earlier than nonsmokers. Site includes topics like Tobacco-related Mortality, E-Cigarettes and vaping, Cigarettes and Nicotine, Increased Risk for Cataracts, Lung Cancer, COPD, Effects on Infertility, Statistics (nearly 13 in 100 adults smokes cigarettes), how the lungs work, and how much money you will save when you quit smoking (see Quitting Smoking). Set a date to quit.

Smoking and Youth (MedlinePlus)

MedlinePlus Smoking and Youth website topics include e-cigarettes, flavored cigarettes, effects on kids, parenting, schools, where kids get their cigarettes, more. Over 13% of high school kids reported currently using a tobacco product in 2021, including e-cigarettes (11%). Girls had higher use rates than boys. The nicotine in tobacco can be as addictive as cocaine or heroin.

State Comparisons: Percent of Smokers who Tried to Quit Smoking, 2020

Compare state by state map and table for percent of smokers who tried to Quit Smoking in 2020. Overall 54% tried to quit, US-wide according to the most recent data, about 3 points lower than 2019. What is happening in your state? the District of Columbia and Connecticut had the greatest percentage trying to quit (65% and 63% respectively). Kentucky had the lowest in percent of smokers trying to quit smoking, at 47%. However, 8 states had lower than 50% of smokers trying to quit. Breakouts by racial groups are shown for each state. Generally, Black, Hispanic and Asian populations were much more likely to try to quit than White or Native American groups. From the Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts.

Tobacco Lobbying Spending, 2021 and 2022 Editor's Pick

How much is spent on tobacco lobbying in 2021 and 2022? The Center for Responsive Politics (opensecrets.org) identified $31 million spent lobbying by the tobacco industry in 2021. Altria, a major e-cigarette manufacturer, and Philip Morris together spent $21 million of it. British American Tobacco and JUUL Labs spent $4.56M in 2021. Year-to-date spending reported through March 2022 was $7.25 million. Altria and Philip Morris spent $4,460,000 of the $7.25 million. See who else contributed those monies

Other Helpful Listings

Consumer Guide to Prevention – USPSTF Recommendations Editor's Pick

Recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for more than 100 Screening tests, Preventive Medication, and Counseling activities. Individual Consumer Guides for all different types of cancer, obesity, high blood pressure, speech and language disorders, hearing loss, chronic kidney disease, depression, diabetes, abdominal aortic aneurysm, sexually transmitted disease, osteoporosis, and much more. Counseling for alcohol misuse, diet and physical activity. In some cases, the site includes screening guidelines published by other experts, such as JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. The USPSTF is an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine. Updated 2022.

Prevention Priorities

Find the latest priorities for prevention. Rankings of preventive services and scoring each for cost effectiveness. The 3 highest-ranking services, each with a total score of 10, are immunizing children, counseling to prevent tobacco initiation among youth, and tobacco-use screening and brief intervention to encourage cessation among adults. Greatest population health improvement comes from using clinical preventive services to address tobacco use, obesity, alcohol misuse,  colorectal cancer screening, and influenza vaccinations. HealthPartners Institute, working with the National Commission on Prevention Priorities (NCPP), sponsors this information. Last updated in 2017; published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

Texas – Guide to Texas HMO Quality 2020-2021 (OPIC)

The Guide to Texas HMO Quality 2020-2021 shows detailed clinical quality comparisons of HMO health insurance plans.  Compare HMOs Aetna, Christus, Cigna, Community First, FIRSTCARE, HMO Blue Texas, Humana Health Plan, Memorial Hermann, Scott and White, and United Healthcare of Texas. Indicators include asthma, childhood immunizations, cancer screening, heart care, high blood pressure, diabetes care, prenatal care, behavioral health, mental illness care and followup, opioid prescriptions, flu shots, antibiotic utilization rates, rates of physician board certification, and more. Lengthy (226 pages) but valuable report. Published by TX Office of Public Insurance Council. No updates as of October 2022.

Wisconsin Collaborative (WCHQ) – Compare Physician Group Ratings

Physician group ratings from the Wisconsin Collaborative (WCHQ). Compare Wisconsin doctor clinics on scores for behavioral health (Depression screening); diabetes, cancer screening (Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer & Colorectal Cancer); heart care, high blood pressure, tobacco use; HPV vaccine, pediatric vaccines, well child visits; Oral health and more. Includes Agnesian, Aspirus, Aurora; Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s, Wheaton, North Region & Fox Valley; Associated Physicians, Bellin, Beloit, Children’s Hospital of WI, Divine Savior, Mayo Clinic Eau Claire and Franciscan La Crosse, Fort Healthcare, Froedert, Gundersen Clinic, Marshfield Clinic, MercyHealth, Monroe, Prairie Clinic, Prevea, Primary Care Associates Appleton, ProHealth, Reedsburg, SSM Dean, Sauk Prairie, ThedaCare, Unity Point-Meriter, UW Health, and Wildwood. Some medical groups report scores by individual clinic location. The Sort-by-Result option helps you see better performers on the top of your list for some items. Bar chart reports; use the hover feature in order to see the actual performance scores. Reports by WI Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ); 2019 and 2020 data for most measures.