Health Disparities in Tobacco Use Persist, According to Surgeon General

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure are responsible for about 1 in 5 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source. While cigarette smoking has declined more than 70% in the U.S. since 1965, a new advisory from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy highlights ongoing health disparities in tobacco use. The November 19 report cites unequal progress in smoking cessation, showing disparities among racial and ethnic groups, income, education, gender identity and sexual orientation, occupation, geography, and health status, among other factors.

Despite the concerning data, Dr. Murthy appears optimistic, envisioning a tobacco-free future with reduced death and disease burden in these population groups. The report outlines various factors affecting tobacco-related disparities and proposes actions to promote smoking cessation and improve health equity in the U.S.

“Tobacco use imposes a heavy toll on families across generations. Now is the time to accelerate our efforts to create a world in which zero lives are harmed by or lost to tobacco,” Dr. Murthy said in the advisory. “This report offers a vision for a tobacco-free future, focused on those who bear the greatest burden, and serves as a call to action for all people to play a role in realizing that vision.”

Quitting smoking can have immediate, short- and long-term benefits on human health. The American Cancer Society’s annual Great American SmokeoutTrusted Source on November 21 is one of many resources available to begin a smoke-free journey.