Public health issue: smoking - Essay Example

Public Health Issue: Smoking First Last Dr. TeacherFirst TeacherLast Number March Public Health Issue: Smoking The issue and its significance Smoking usually refers to the consumption of tobacco by burning and inhaling it which releases its active ingredients which are then absorbed by the lungs. In the past, there were several forms in which tobacco was smoked but in more recent history the prevalent method has been through cigarettes. While other forms of drug use, such as cannabis, are banned in most countries, smoking cigarettes is perhaps the only widely legalized recreational drug used in the world today.

In 2009, it was estimated that over 20% of adults in the United States were active smokers and that every day over 2800 people of various ages began smoking every day (Centers for Disease, 2010a). Smoking causes several life threatening diseases which can be directly attributed to it and also causes a general loss in health resulting in reduced life expectancy. In a study of health data in the United States from 1995-1999 revealed that smoking caused a reduction in life expectancy of over 13 years in an American individual’s life (Centers for Disease, 2002).

In addition there were over 440,000 annual deaths caused by diseases which have been proven to be directly attributable to smoking tobacco such as lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, and chronic airways obstruction and to a lesser extent, cancers of the mouth, larynx, and esophagus, and others (Centers for Disease, 2002). In addition to these risks, smoking is also harmful to the fetus if the mother is a smoker. Not only is smoking considered harmful, secondhand smoke from a smoker also increases health risks for those around him or her.

Facts, policies, and evolution of issue Smoking is an old tradition and evidence of its use for various recreational, spiritual and other purposes can be found in ancient cultures. Even though tobacco began to be grown commercially in the U.S. in early 17th century, it became popular through cigarettes when cigarette manufacturing was commercialized and the first brand “Camel was produced in 1913 by R.J. Reynolds” (Mackay & Eriksen, 2002). Subsequently, other companies were formed and quickly grew in size based on their massive cigarette sales.

Till the mid twentieth century, even though there were sporadic efforts to discourage smoking, the reasons for these efforts were mostly “moral and hygienic” (Centers for Disease, 2000). It wasn’t until 1956 that, as a result of a study by the U.S. Surgeon General’s office, a direct linkage was drawn between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. Further research later revealed the link to other diseases. The campaign to inform the public about the harmful effects of smoking had begun as early as in the 1960’s. In the U.S.

, beginning in 1973 by Arizona, several states banned smoking in public places. Later, this ban was extended to throughout the United States and also gradually included label warnings, ban on open advertising, ban on smoking during air travel, and limitations in several states on second hand smoke. The consumption of cigarette smoking in the U.S. has steadily declined since 1965 except for a spike in adolescent smoking during the 1990’s (Centers for Disease, 2010b). However, it is also interesting to note that there is a constant battle being fought between the tobacco companies and the public and regulators.

A testament to this battle can be seen from the statistics issued by the World Health Organization which show a sharp increase in advertising in the last two decades corresponding to a steady fall in consumption of cigarettes (Mackay & Eriksen, 2002). The graph appears on the next page. Cigarette Marketing vs. Consumption (Mackay & Eriksen, 2002) References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health. (2010a). Smoking and tobacco use: fast facts. Atlanta, GA: Web.

Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health. (2010b). Trends in Current Cigarette Smoking Among High School Students and Adults, United States, 1965–2009. Atlanta, GA: Web. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/tables/trends/cig_smoking/index.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2002). Annual Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Economic Costs - United States, 1995-1999.

(2002, April 12) MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 51(14), 300-303. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5114a2.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2000). Highlights: Smoking & Tobacco Use. Atlanta, GA: Web. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/2000/highlights/historical/index.htm Mackay, J., & Eriksen, M. (2002). The Tobacco Atlas. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization. pp. 18-19.