Tobacco: A Winnable Battle

Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States and around the world. Tobacco killed one hundred million people worldwide in the 20th century — and if current trends continue, it will kill one billion people in the 21st century. Every year, tobacco kills more than 480,000 Americans and six million people worldwide.

A Winnable Battle

We know how to win the fight against tobacco. Science and experience have identified proven, cost-effective strategies that prevent kids from smoking, help smokers quit and protect everyone from secondhand smoke.

These strategies include:

• Higher tobacco taxes
• Laws requiring smoke-free workplaces and public places
• Well-funded programs, including mass media campaigns, that prevent kids from starting to smoke and help smokers quit
• Increasing the age of sale for tobacco products to 21
• Regulation of the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco products

These proven solutions save millions of lives and billions in health care costs.

Source: http:/www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_issues/tobacco_101/