ATLANTA, GA—The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released findings yesterday that detail the top ten causes of death for smokers. Cancer barely made the list despite a staggering total of approximately 500,000 smoking-related deaths per year in the United States. Here are its findings in increasing order:
10. Cancer of the lung, mouth, and/or throat (1.39% or 6,944 deaths)
9. Failed attempt to extinguish cigarette on clothing/couch/skin (2.78% or 13,889 deaths)
8. Eating meat that has been smoked/stuffed/breaded/garnished with tobacco (3.47% or 17,361 deaths)
7. Using wrong end of lit cigarette (4.17% or 20,833 deaths)
6. Drowning in attempt to extinguish cigarette in toilet/bathtub/pool/body of water while still in mouth (4.86% or 24,306 deaths)
5. Using expired tobacco, failing to freeze or refrigerate properly (5.56% or 27,778 deaths)
4. Dropping lit cigarette due to bee/scorpion sting, causing wildfire (6.94% or 34,722 deaths)
3. Smoking near gasoline: lighting up at gas station or stroking match on gas tank/container (8.33% or 41,667 deaths)
2. Explosions caused by smoking while drinking spirits with high-alcohol content (20.83% or 104,167 deaths)
1. Karma for second- and third-hand smoke, especially “that smell” at the gym (41.67% or 208,333 deaths)
Smokers who do not quit are fighting a losing war with high fatalities. Many organizations have been formed to prevent individuals from becoming smokers and/or to help them quit if they already have. To connect directly to your state’s quitline, call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669).