Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

Health and Economic Costs of Tobacco Use in Pennsylvania

The use of tobacco products remains the nation’s number one cause of preventable death. Tobacco use is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths nationwide. In Pennsylvania:

- An estimated 22,000 deaths are caused by smoking each year.
- 15.8% of adults smoke cigarettes.
- Smoking is estimated to cost $6.38 billion in direct health care costs, including $2.07 billion in Medicaid costs.
- 26.7% of high school students use tobacco, including 6.6% of high school students smoke cigarettes, 7.4% of male high school students smoke cigars and 24.4% use electronic cigarettes.

In addition to cancer, tobacco increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, SIDS, and other diseases.  
 

Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Programs in Pennsylvania are Vital to Protect Youth

Due to sharp increases in youth tobacco use in recent years, largely due to skyrocketing rates of e-cigarette use, the decades of progress that has been made in reducing tobacco use rates in youth is now in jeopardy. Investing in tobacco control programs is needed to reverse these trends. With the introduction of e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products, unfortunately many young people who use tobacco do not identify the type they use as a tobacco product or do not identify the tobacco product as harmful. The good news is we know what works to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help people already addicted to quit. As Big Tobacco has been working hard to addict future generations with e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, the need for funding for tobacco prevention programs has never been greater. While tobacco use driven by the e-cigarette epidemic is skyrocketing among youth, Pennsylvania should not reduce funding for vital tobacco prevention cessation programs. Action is needed to reverse these trends. As the tobacco industry is evolving, the need for funding for tobacco prevention programs has never been greater.

Tackling Tobacco Use by Funding Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Programs

Fully funding evidence-based tobacco prevention and cessation programs, along with regular and significant tobacco tax increases and comprehensive smoke-free laws can reduce tobacco use. Pennsylvania currently invests $16.2 million in tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which is significantly less than the $140 million the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Pennsylvania spends to combat the health and economic consequences of tobacco. Maintaining funding for Pennsylvania’s tobacco prevention and cessation program is crucial to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help people already addicted to tobacco quit.