Tobacco Use: A Leading Health Indicator

            One of the ten leading health indicators outlined in Healthy People 2010 is that of tobacco use in the general population. It was determined that in 1999, approximately 35% of adolescents in grades 9-12 smoked (smoking was defined as one or more cigarettes within the past 30 days). In 1998, it was determined that 24% of adults over 18 smoked (smoking was defined as 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime, and smoking within the last month on some or all days). The goals for Healthy People 2010 include decreasing adolescent smoking to 16% and adult smoking to 12% by the year 2010. Healthy People 2010 is a set of goals determined by scientific research and broad consultation to be important in improving the health of the nation (Healthy People, n.d.). It is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
             There are several rationales for the importance of tobacco use as a leading health indicator, the most obvious of which is tobacco's detrimental effects on health. It is estimated that 90% of lung cancers in men, 70% in women, may be attributed to smoking (American Cancer, 2003). Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in America. Other cancers that have been linked to smoking include cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, kidney, bladder, pancreas, and uterine cervix (American Cancer, 2003). Additionally, smoking has been proven to cause COPD and asthma, both of which may be fatal. Smoking is also a major factor in causing CAD and stroke (American Lung, 2003). An estimated 437,700 Americans die each year from smoking-related illnesses, including those who are exposed indirectly to cigarette carcinogens, such as the unborn fetus of a smoking mother (American Lung, 2003). While the price of a lost life is indescribable, the estimated monetary cost of smoking is approximately $97.2 billion each year in health care costs and lost productivity (American Lung, 2003).