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Show Behavioral Influences on Health Tobacco: Utah and United States Compiled by Becky Bradshaw 2001 Utah adult (18+) smokers: 12.9% 2001 Utah students (grade 9-12) smokers Smoking is the number one cause of death in the U.S. Smoking-related diseases cause more than 440,000 deaths per year in the U.S., and over 1.200 in Utah. Smoking can lead to chronic lung disease, heart disease, and stroke, as well as cancer of the lungs, larynx, esophagus, mouth, and bladder. Smoking can also exacerbate other cancers such as cancer of the cervix, pancreas, and kidneys. In 2001 23.3% of U.S adults (18+) smoke, where only 12.9% of Utah adults smoked. 14.6% of adult Utah males smoked compared with 12% of females who smoked (Table 1). More than 70% of Utah adults who smoked reported to have been regular smokers as teenagers. That is why Utah is making great efforts to educate its youth on the dangers of smoking. As it stands. 8.3% of Utah's students grades 9-12, have smoked at least once in the last 30 days. The average of U.S students who smoke is 28.5% (Figure 1). The number of Utah adult smokers has steadily declined since 1998. With every 5% decline, 3,000 Utah lives are saved as well as $73 million dollars in medical costs. Table 1. Percentaj ie of Utah and U.S smokers. Adults, Men Percent of Smokers U.S adults 22.9% Utah adults 13.2% U.S men 25.5% Utah men 14.6% U.S women 21.3% Utah women 12% Figure 1. Utah Adults Who Smoke. Utah High School Students Who Have Smoked in the Last 30 Days. Utah Smokers 14 12 10 8 6 4_____ 2 -0 Utah adults w ho smoke Utah high school students w ho have smoked in the last 30 days Sources: Center for Disease Prevention and Control. [Online] vs >vj* s s y sia ehi/lhtiTjl_2002/otaJi.htm Utah Department of Health. [Online] w*-\\ ^ , Ktsjbtrn Utah's Health: An Annual Review Volume EX 113 |