Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death and disability.

The World Health Organization estimates that tobacco caused 5.4 million deaths in 2009 and 100 million deaths over the course of the 20th century.  To date, more than 24 different smoking-related diseases have been identified, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and 10 different forms of cancer. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes tobacco use as "the single most important preventable risk to human health in developed countries and an important cause of premature death worldwide.”

Notable changes to bring down the number of tobacco-related deaths have included:

• Restrictions to smoking in public buildings, restaurants and workplaces
• No smoking on school properties
• Increased cigarette excise tax
• Ban of unsupervised cigarette vending machines where children are present

Currently, cigarette packages in virtually every country carry warning labels, yet the size, number, and the way the health information is presented differs notably between countries. Under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, it’s now required by law that cigarette warning labels cover 50 percent of the front and rear of each pack, with the word “WARNING” in capital letters.

The question that remains on everybody’s mind is, “How has the smoking ban been effective?” Several studies have documented health and economic benefits related to the ban. In the first 18 months after Pueblo, Colorado enacted a 2008 smoking ban, hospital admissions for heart attacks dropped by 27% while admissions in neighboring towns without smoking bans showed no change. The decline in heart attacks was attributed to the smoking ban, which reduced exposure to secondhand smoke. A similar study in Helena, Montana found a 40% reduction in heart attacks following the imposition of a smoking ban back in 2007.

The statistics speak volumes. For more information on tobacco control in your area, visit the Smoke-Free Illinois webpage at www.smoke-free.illinois.gov.