Tobacco could kill 1 billion by 2100

[onehandle]

Source: AP

NEW YORK - Tobacco use killed 100 million people worldwide in the 20th century and could kill one billion people in the 21st unless governments act now to dramatically reduce it, the World Health Organization said in a report Thursday.

snip...

"The tobacco epidemic already kills 5.4 million people a year from lung cancer, heart disease and other illnesses," Chan said. "Unchecked, that number will increase to more than 8 million a year by 2030."

snip...

One of the most effective ways to curb tobacco use is to ban all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, but it said only 20 of 179 countries that responded have complete bans.

While many tobacco users want to quit, they are unable to because of their addiction to nicotine, and "the vast majority of countries" provide no help, the report said. Only nine countries, accounting for 5 percent of the world's population, offer a full range of treatment and at least partial financial subsidies to help people trying to quit, it said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080207/ap_on_he_me/tobacco_epidemic

[RantinRavin]

1. Make that 9,999,999

I quit smoking 1 month ago, and have no desire to go back.

[mike_c]

2. good on ya' and best of luck staying smoke free....

I quit 25 years ago, more-or-less. As time passes, the thought of smoking again becomes more and more ludicrous. After the first year or two it was just inconceivable. Good luck!

[Lisa]

17. congrats!

They aren't getting any more money out of your pocket! And my mom (a public health nurse) says that the health benefits start showing up right away.

[napi21]

3. Maybe, but so will all different forms of cancer, heart disease and obesity!

Get off the friggin soapbox. If you don't like smoking, then DON'T SMOKE!

[jus_the_facts]

4. That headline SHOULD read....Industrial disease and car emmisions WILL KILL US ALL by....

...but INSTEAD IT'S CIGARETTES....oh the humanity. :think:

[TreasonousBastard]

5. So, if we got famine, war, pestilence and...

a few other things on board, we could get the population back to a sustainable level.

[dantyrant]

6. Bush could kill 1 billion by next month,

Just for some perspective.

Now, back to happy thought! :)

[slackmaster]

7. Mixed feelings about this

Although I abhor sickness and suffering I like the idea of fewer people, particularly if it's a result of something they consciously chose to start doing.

[MinM]

8. I blame Ty Cobb

[splat]

9. Just about all of us will have been killed by something by then!

[winter999]

10. New Headline: Mortality will definitely kill more than 1 billion by 2100.

[kestrel91316]

11. The consequences of smoking killed all 4 of my grandparents, and

one of my parents.

If only we could be assured that the purveyors of this poison would be counted among the fatalities.......

[NorCalDem]

13. Then lobby to make tobacco illegal.

Get a petition started, call your congressman/woman, call your senators. Just remember, prohibition works, and we'll prove it!

[kestrel91316]

14. Nah. I prefer to SHUN people who smoke and people who sell tobacco

products. They can find another friend.

[NashVegas]

25. Generally, I Suspect Those Who'd Shun Smokers

Wouldn't be missed by them.

[sam sarrha]

16. let them smoke if they give up medical care, at least it will cut costs, its all choice, just one or...

the other..

we don't have health care today because it would only subsidize big tobacco and the distilleries.. that is what they told hillery in the 90's, we could afford it if we could control their industry, drug levels, all advertising, no using dangerious drugs in sight of children. if we kept them from abusing children, getting them addicted, there wouldn't be a tobacco industry in 50 years, hardly anyone starts smoking after the teen years, their money is already allocated to necessities by then.. the older smokers would die off in agony, not to be replaced by children.. the industry is maintained by addicting "Children", remove that keystone and the industry would colapse
'

[Jack_DeLeon]

19. I agree...

I have no problem with not paying for people who choose to do harm to thier own bodies.

[sinkingfeeling]

28. You guys must have missed the newest report that smokers and obese people cost

cost the health system less than 'healthy' people.

http://www.startribune.com/nation/15293006.html

Obese people, smokers cost the health system less than healthy do, study finds


Preventing obesity and smoking can save lives, but it doesn't save money, researchers reported Monday.

It costs more to care for healthy people who live years longer, according to a Dutch study that counters the common perception that preventing obesity would save governments millions of dollars.

On average, healthy people lived 84 years. Smokers lived about 77 years, and obese people lived about 80 years. Ultimately, the thin and healthy group cost the most, about $417,000, from age 20 on. The cost of care for obese people was $371,000, and for smokers, about $326,000.

[sinkingfeeling]

12. Not to worry, there'll be another 3 billion or more new people on the earth by then.

[sam sarrha]

15. there may only be 1 billion people left by 2100, an extra tipping point may kill all them off too

[Jack_DeLeon]

18. People have a right to choose...

how they will live or end thier lives.

If someone wants to smoke knowing the risks I have no problem with that. I also have no problem with us the public not having to pay for any health problems that person incurs related to thier choice.

The government should not deicde how poeple will live thier lives, we are all responsible for our own life.

[onehandle]

20. And I have a right not to be subjected to second hand smoke.

I win.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

24. And I and other smokers have a right to not be subjected to people like you

you do your thing and let us do ours. I just bet you will die first and it will have nothing to do with smoke of any kind.

[ileus]

21. Let 'em die, the worlds better off for the most part.

should I feel sorry for those the choose to commit suicide by tobacco?

[eowyn_of_rohan]

23. And what sir do you think you will die of?

High blood pressure from hate and intolerance?

[eowyn_of_rohan]

22. Holy shit!

How many people will death from everything by 2100? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEk.:scared:

[eowyn_of_rohan]

26. opps. I meant will die of everything

[LiberalFighter]

27. What are the statistics for number of smokers in last 20 years?