The World Health Organization has sponsored World No Tobacco Day since 1987. While the number of people who smoke cigarettes and use tobacco is decreasing, cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. There are still 34 million American adults who still choose to smoke.

Here are ten quick facts to remind you why you should stop smoking now, or never start to begin with.

Ten reasons not to smoke

Smoking is addictive. Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance, and the younger you are when you begin smoking, the more likely you are to become addicted. The 2014 Surgeon General’s Report states that 90% of adult smokers started smoking before age 18.
Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer in the world. It’s responsible for two-thirds of lung cancer deaths.
Almost all cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are caused by smoking. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Cigarette smoking accounts for 1 out of 5 deaths each year.
Smoking causes cancer, cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, type 2 diabetes, COPD, and stroke.
The average smoker dies 10 years earlier than non-smokers.
There is no safe way to smoke. Vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes.
It’s an expensive habit. There’s the cost of cigarettes, but also the cost of healthcare due to smoking-related health problems. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human services, smoking-related illnesses cost the United States $300 billion each year.
Smoking affects those around you; secondhand smoke is just as harmful as smoking. The difference is that those around smokers are not choosing to smoke. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for lung disease, respiratory infections, and asthma.
Smoking can kill you in the long run, but exposure to secondhand smoke also puts young children at risk for sudden infant death syndrome.

It’s never too late to stop smoking

The sooner you quit smoking, the better. Those who stop smoking sooner experience greater health benefits and a better quality of life than those who continue to smoke cigarettes. However, there is no point in your life when giving up smoking ceases to be beneficial; it’s never too late to stop smoking

10 Fast Facts for World No Tobacco Day

written by-Abhilasha Deshpande