All populations and people are vulnerable to the effects of smoking tobacco and second-hand smoke, but some are more vulnerable than others.
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Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 6 million people die from smoking-related causes annually1.
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In the U.S., more than 480,000 people die annually ( >1,300/day ) from smoking related causes, accounting for nearly one in five deaths2.
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Smoking prevalence is higher among persons living in poverty than persons living above poverty: 26.3% versus 15.2% (2014)1.
Populations
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Effects
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Native American3
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- Smoke more than any other U.S racial/ethnic population.
- Smoking prevalence is 29.2%, (US overall avg. 16.8%).
- Women commonly smoke during pregnancy, increasing risk of premature delivery, low birth weight and SIDS (crib death) complications.
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Caucasian- White3
(non-Hispanic)
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- Second highest racial/ethnic population of smokers in the US at 18.2%
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African American3
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- Third highest racial/ethnic population of US smokers.
- At 17.5% in 2014; a 4% decrease since 2005.
- Many more men smoke (22.1%) than women (13.7%).
- More likely to smoke menthol-flavored cigarettes which can worsen nicotine addiction and health effects
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Hispanic/Latino3
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- Nearly the lowest rate of smokers in the U.S. at 11.2%.
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Asians3
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- The lowest smoking rate by race and ethnicity at 9.5%.
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HIV positive4
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- Smoking prevalence rates range from 40-70%.
- Higher disease development rate than general population.
- Smoking works synergistically with HIV and significantly increases mortality rates.
- Higher rates of cardiovascular diseases, associated cancers, (lung, head and neck, cervix and anus), and respiratory complications such as COPD.
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Homeless5
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- 68-80% of the U.S. homeless are current smokers.
- A substantially higher mortality rate of 2 to 5 times than the housed.
- Excessive mortality is high due to exposure of risk factors including smoking, which increases risk for a myriad of diseases likely to be poorly controlled.
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Children between 3 and 18 years2
(nearly half of all children)
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- Are exposed to cigarette smoke on a regular basis.
- Are targeted by tobacco marketing industry to encourage smoking from an early age.
- Every day >3,200 kids under 18 smoke their first cigarette.
- Now targeted by the tobacco industry for e-cigarette use using child-friendly flavors.
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The financial impact of smoking in direct medical expenses and lost productivity in the U.S. is estimated between $289 to $332 billion annually.2
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