2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the first surgeon general’s report on the detrimental health effects of smoking. After the initial report was released, government programs, nongovernmental organizations and public entities began to spread awareness about the dangers of smoking, beginning the so-called “tobacco-controlled” age.
While smoking rates didn’t dramatically drop off during the beginning of the tobacco-controlled age, the anti-smoking campaign has led to a gradual but significant decline over the last 50 years. In an effort to quantify the success of the programs of the last 50 years, a group of researchers analyzed cigarette smoking information provided by the National Health Interview Surveys. By comparing smoking-related mortality rates from 1964-2012 to estimated mortality rates with no tobacco control, researchers concluded:
- An estimated 8 million fewer premature smoking related deaths occurred than what would have occurred without tobacco control.
- The programs saved an estimated 5.7 million men and 2.3 million women.
- The 8 million saved lives resulted in an estimated 157 million years of saved life, with a mean of 19.6 years for each beneficiary.
Public knowledge of the negative impact smoking has on a person’s health has undoubtedly helped to save countless lives, but smoking is still a concern in 2014. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly 1 in 5 Americans smoke cigarettes, and the authors of the study note “efforts must continue to reduce the effect of smoking on the nation’s death toll.”
Dr. Silverman comments
The campaign against Big Tobacco has been successful, as smoking rates have plummeted from 42% in 1965 to 18.1% in 2014, but as the authors suggest, there is still work to be done.
I believe we are in the middle of a similar campaign against “Big Food.” Obesity rates have skyrocketed over the last few decades, but it does appear that more people are beginning to take a closer look at what they put in their bodies. Researchers are publishing studies condemning carbohydrate-dense and high-fructose corn syrup packed products. Will we see a huge increase in taxes on junk foods or sodas similar to what the tobacco industry went through? It’s certainly possible, but like any intervention program, it will only be successful if people make the conscious decision to improve their health.
Related source: JAMA