January 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health. (1) We know that tobacco use causes numerous cancers and other illnesses, and is still the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing more than 440,000 people each year. The 1964 landmark report was the first to definitively link smoking with lung cancer and heart disease. In the 50 years since the release of the report, 30 additional Surgeon General's Reports have added to our knowledge and understanding of the devastating health and financial burdens caused by tobacco use. The CDC is asking for help to promote the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health by downloading and sharing these resources on your Web sites. Fifty years after the release of the first Surgeon General's report on smoking and health, remarkable progress has been made. Since 1964, smoking prevalence among U.S. adults has been reduced by half. Unfortunately, tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. In January 2014, the Surgeon General will release the 50th anniversary Surgeon General's Report on smoking and health. The report will highlight 50 years of progress in tobacco control and prevention, present new data on the health consequences of tobacco use, and detail initiatives that can end the tobacco use epidemic in the United States.(1)
First SGR, released in January 1964, identified smoking as a cause of lung cancer in men. Thirty additional SGRs released since 1964, which produced growing evidence of health effects from smoking and SHS: heart disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; cancers; pregnancy complications; and pediatric diseases.
More than 440,000 Americans die every year from smoking. Eight million Americans live with at least one serious chronic disease from smoking. The cost to U.S economy is $193 billion a year, and nearly $96 billion in direct medical costs, with an additional $97 billion in lost productivity. In 2014, the Surgeon General will release a new report on smoking and health. The report will cover three major topics: historical and trend information on tobacco use over last 50 years; new findings on health effects of smoking; and a Call to action, how we can end the continuing tobacco use epidemic. You can visit the website or, for questions or inquiries, email [email protected].(1,2)
