50th Anniversary of the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking

Jan 08, 2014

2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health.

The first Surgeon General's report, released in January 1964, identified smoking as a cause of lung cancer in men. Since that time, additional reports, research and studies have produced evidence linking smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke to such health effects as:

• Heart disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Cancers                                              
• Pregnancy complications
• Pediatric diseases

Tobacco use is still the number one preventable cause of death.

More than 440,000 Americans die every year from smoking, and eight million Americans live with at least one serious chronic disease from smoking. Financially, the cost of tobacco to the U.S. economy is $193 billion a year - nearly $96 billion in direct medical costs and another $97 billion in lost productivity.

Reducing tobacco use has positive effects.

According to the American Medical Association, by avoiding tobacco or quitting the habit, people have gained nearly two decades of life.

When you quit smoking, the health benefits begin almost immediately.

• 20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
• 12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
• 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and lung function increases.
• 1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease. The cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
• 1 year after quitting: Your increased risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
• 5 to 15 years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.
• 10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.
• 15 years after quitting: Your risk of coronary heart disease is the same of that of a non-smoker.

Take the first step to becoming tobacco-free today. Use the resources on this site, or call the South Dakota QuitLine at 1-866-SD QUITS (1-866-737-8487).