Tobacco Truths Tobacco Myths Quit Now Lifespan Links

General Tobacco Truths Youth Tobacco Truths Secondhand Smoke Truths INTEGRIS Lifespan - Tobacco Truths - General Truth #1: Oklahoma's tobacco deaths rank in the nation's Top 10. Oklahoma has the 9th highest rate of smoking-related deaths in the U.S. Unlike other higher-ranking states that grow tobacco, we have no economic self-interest to blame for our death rate. Sources: Oklahoma State Department of Health; State Board of Health Truth #2: Oklahoma adults smoke 30% more than the U.S. average. Oklahoma's cigarette consumption: 108 packs per person, per year. The national average: 82 packs per person, per year. In Massachusetts: 55 packs per person, per year. In California: 38 packs per person, per year. Source: Oklahoma State Department of Health Truth #3: Oklahoma youths use 20% more tobacco than the U.S. average. Oklahoma high school students use tobacco 42% vs. 35% nationally. Oklahoma middle school students use tobacco 21% vs. 15% nationally. Sources: National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2000; Oklahoma Youth Tobacco Survey, 1999 Truth #4: Smoking costs Every Oklahoman. Estimated direct and indirect costs from tobacco use by Oklahomans: $2 billion per year (an average of $600 per Oklahoman per year). Source: Oklahoma State Department of Health Truth #5: Tobacco is our single greatest barrier to becoming a healthier state. It's Oklahoma's leading cause of preventable death, killing more Oklahomans each year than alcohol, auto accidents, AIDS, suicides, murders and illegal drugs combined (an estimated 6,000 deaths per year, or 16 per day). Source: Oklahoma State Department of Health Truth #6: Tobacco causes heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases (emphysema, bronchitis) and stroke. It's the single largest contributor to 4 of Oklahoma's 5 leading causes of death. It causes: 29% of all cancers 87% of all lung cancer (The #1 cause of cancer deaths) 20-30% of heart disease/stroke 82% of all COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Source: Oklahoma State Department of Health Truth #7: Tobacco is stunting Oklahoma's growth. Oklahoma's high early death rate -- along with our high rate of youth smoking -- has become a barrier to job growth. Attractive employers see these stats as evidence of an "unhealthy workforce" (i.e., costly) and simply pass Oklahoma by. Source: Oklahoma State Board of Health, May 2002 Truth #8: Lung cancer is DOWN nationwide, but UP in Oklahoma Since 1988, lung cancer deaths have dropped 13.5% in California and 1.6% nationwide — but have grown 3.5% in Oklahoma. Source: Oklahoma State Department of Health Truth #9: Oklahoma's rise of COPD deaths is more than twice the national average. Oklahoma's COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) deaths are up 27% vs. 11.9% nationwide. California's rate has almost no increase, up by .6%. Source: Oklahoma State Department of Health