Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable death and illness, with an estimated 443,000 people dying prematurely from smoking or secondhand smoke each year. Not only do smokers harm themselves, but they also harm others around them through secondhand smoke exposure. Children are especially susceptible to health issues from secondhand smoke. While many people find it difficult to quit due to nicotine addiction and social/habit factors, going cold turkey is the most effective method for those who successfully stop smoking.

1. Tobacco and Alcohol Addiction Jenna Selfridge October 20, 2010

2. Tobacco “Each year, an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million have a serious illness caused by smoking. Despite these risks, approximately 46 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes. ” Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths/illnesses. The strong addiction to tobacco (nicotine) makes it hard for users to quit despite the negative health consequences which can result in death. Many people link smoking to social aspects as well as a daily regular habit that is hard to break. Many people try numerous times to quit; cold turkey, prescription drugs, nicotine gum/patches. Of those who have successfully quit, cold turkey was the best way to do it.

3. Secondhand Smoke “Each year, primarily because of exposure to secondhand smoke, an estimated 3,000 nonsmoking Americans die of lung cancer, more than 46,000 die of heart disease, and about 150,000–300,000 children younger than 18 months have lower respiratory tract infections.” Not only do smokers harm themselves, but they harm others around them. Many states have passed laws banning smoking in stores, restaurants, and bars. Hotel and apartments have restrictions to which areas they allow smoking indoors.

4. Secondhand Smoke Contd. Many parents choose to smoke outdoors and sometimes hide the fact that they smoke from their children and other family members. Parents who do allow smoking indoors are directly exposing their children and other family members to secondhand smoke. Children are especially susceptible to respiratory damage and other sicknesses from secondhand smoke as their bodies are still developing. (cdc.gov)

5. Drunk Driving Fatalities

6. Alcohol: Drunk Driving Fatalities The statistics from the previous slide are incredible. Knowing the legal age to drink alcohol is 21years old, the fatalities in that age group are the highest among all age groups. As people get older, the fatalities decline. This may be due to maturity as well as life-style changes as we grow older. Also note that there are more male drivers than women drivers involved in these fatalities.

7. Citations “The Burden Of Tobacco Use.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/osh.htm “Social Issues: Alcohol. Alcohol Involvement for Drivers in Fatal Accidents.” Project America. 2008. ://www.project.org/info.php?recordID=138