Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Given current use patterns, it is projected to kill about 1 billion people in the 21st century. Although smoking has declined in many high-income countries, tobacco consumption is rising in many lower income countries. Currently, more than 80% of the world’s smokers live in low- and middle-income countries. Most smokers begin smoking when they are children, and kids are starting to experiment with tobacco at an earlier age. Tobacco companies are heavily marketing a wide range of new products, such as e-cigarettes, snus, lozenges, tablets, pellets, and other dissolvable products.
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- Economic consequences
Look into the costs associated with tobacco consumption outside the health care system. Lost productivity, absenteeism, and more impact our economy.
- Health consequences
Explore the health impacts of tobacco consumption from lung cancer, to emphysema, to cardiovascular disease and beyond.
- Healthcare costs
Discover the costs of providing health care to people suffering from tobacco-related illnesses.
- Prevalence and consumption
Learn more about how many people use tobacco, who they are, and what their use patterns are.