Georgia reports 12000 smoking-related deaths highlighting urgent health crisis

The Georgia Legislature's Cost & Effects of Smoking Study Committee convened on June 12, 2025, to address the significant health impacts of smoking and the urgent need for preventive measures. The meeting highlighted alarming statistics regarding smoking-related diseases and deaths, emphasizing that smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and mortality worldwide.

During the session, it was reported that over 490,000 deaths in the United States are linked to cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, with nearly 12,000 of those occurring in Georgia alone. The committee discussed the harmful effects of cigarette smoke, which contains approximately 7,000 chemicals, including at least 69 known carcinogens. Smoking is responsible for about 90 percent of lung cancer deaths and 80 percent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases, which includes conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The committee noted that among current smokers, 73 percent suffer from chronic lung diseases. Even individuals who have quit smoking still face significant health risks, with chronic lung disease accounting for 50 percent of smoking-related health issues. The discussion underscored that smoking adversely affects nearly every organ in the body, contributing to coronary heart disease and various cancers.

The committee also addressed the dangers of secondhand smoke, which is responsible for approximately 19,000 deaths annually in the United States. A concerning trend was highlighted, revealing that in 2023, 69 percent of smokers had their first cigarette before the age of 18, and nearly all (93 percent) had smoked by age 21. Smoking rates typically rise until around age 45, after which they decline, indicating a targeted marketing strategy by the tobacco industry towards youth. Each day, over 1,200 children under 18 try their first cigarette, with 60 of them becoming regular daily smokers.

The meeting concluded with a call for increased awareness and preventive measures to combat the smoking epidemic, particularly among young people, to reduce the long-term health impacts on the population. The committee's findings underscore the urgent need for continued efforts in public health initiatives aimed at reducing smoking rates and protecting future generations from tobacco-related harm.