Shocking statistics: Smoking
- Smoking kills. Smoking-related diseases kill one in 10 adults
globally, or cause four million deaths. If the same rate continues, by
2030 smoking will kill one in six people.
- About a third of the male adult global population smokes.
- Cigarette smoke contains 11 chemical compounds that are known to cause cancer.
- Someone dies every eight seconds from tobacco use
- Every minute 10 million cigarettes are sold
- Among young teens (aged 13 to 15), about one in five smokes worldwide.
- Half of long-term smokers will die from tobacco. Every cigarette
smoked cuts at least five minutes of life on average – about the time
taken to smoke it.
- Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of disease and
premature death. It is a prime factor in heart disease, stroke and
chronic lung disease. It can cause cancer of the lungs, larynx,
oesophagus, mouth, and bladder, and contributes to cancer of the cervix,
pancreas, and kidneys.
- More than 4,000 toxic or carcinogenic chemicals have been found in tobacco smoke.
- Cigarette smoke contains benzene, carbon monoxide, arsenic, hydrogen cyanide and polonium 210.
- Tobacco is an addictive substance. Smokers who use other drugs such
as heroin, methadone, amphetamines and barbiturates rate tobacco as
their most addictive drug.
- At least a quarter of all deaths from heart diseases and about
three-quarters of world’s chronic bronchitis are related to smoking.
- A 1998 survey found that tobacco companies were among the top 10 advertisers in 18 out of 66 countries surveyed.
- Through advertising, tobacco firms try to link smoking with athletic
prowess, sexual attractiveness, success, adult sophistication,
adventure and self-fulfilment
- Evidence shows that around 50% of those who start smoking in adolescent years go on to smoke for 15 to 20 years.
- Peer-reviewed studies show teenagers are heavily influenced by tobacco advertising.
- The tobacco industry has changed the way it advertises in the last
30 years. Now, only 10% of advertising expenditure goes to print and
outdoor advertisements, while more than half goes to promotional
allowances and items, such as t-shirts for young people or lighters and
key rings
