4 ms·

> 72,000 overdose deaths is just a staggeringly large number. It's still only a drop in the bucket compared to overall drug-related deaths though. Tobacco-rela

> 72,000 overdose deaths is just a staggeringly large number. It's still only a drop in the bucket compared to overall drug-related deaths though. Tobacco-related deaths alone account for 500k deaths annually, and that's not even counting deaths related to third-hand smoke.

stevecalifornia 8y ago
Third-hand smoke? Please, tell me more.
- dragonwriter 8y ago
  “Thirdhand smoke is residual nicotine and other chemicals left on indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke. People are exposed to these chemicals by touching contaminated surfaces or breathing in the off-gassing from these surfaces. This residue is thought to react with common indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix including cancer causing compounds, posing a potential health hazard to nonsmokers — especially children.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/third-hand-smoke/faq-20057791 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/ex...
ghayes 8y ago
I figured that number was global, not US-only. Yes, that is a staggeringly high number.
- spicymaki 8y ago
  Oh wow, that is the US-only number: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast...
skate22 8y ago
I'm shocked that cigs are still legal. Everyone i know got hooked when under age & many of them have tried to quit before reaching legal age. Cigs are a product for kids
- Alex3917 8y ago
  Agreed. Loose leaf tobacco should be legal, pre-manufactured cigarettes absolutely should not be.
vkou 8y ago
Very few of those tobacco-related deaths are of 20 and 30 year-olds. I'm not sure if drugs take away more overall years of life then tobacco, but the numbers are probably not that far off.
toomanybeersies 8y ago
The difference is that tobacco itself doesn't kill people. It's the long term side effects. You can't overdose on cigarettes (although it is possible to OD on nicotine). 72,000 is just the number of sudden effects, ignoring the chronic long term effects of opiate abuse. It the same thing with alcohol. Very few alcoholics die from alcohol poisoning, it's the long term health problems that kill them.
- Alex3917 8y ago
  > Very few alcoholics die from alcohol poisoning, it's the long term health problems that kill them. Actually I think the median death from alcohol is mid-30s, with alcohol-related accidents and suicides being more common than chronic health issues.

stevecalifornia 8y ago

Third-hand smoke? Please, tell me more.

dragonwriter 8y ago
“Thirdhand smoke is residual nicotine and other chemicals left on indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke. People are exposed to these chemicals by touching contaminated surfaces or breathing in the off-gassing from these surfaces. This residue is thought to react with common indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix including cancer causing compounds, posing a potential health hazard to nonsmokers — especially children.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/third-hand-smoke/faq-20057791 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/ex...

ghayes 8y ago

I figured that number was global, not US-only. Yes, that is a staggeringly high number.

spicymaki 8y ago
Oh wow, that is the US-only number: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast...

skate22 8y ago

I'm shocked that cigs are still legal. Everyone i know got hooked when under age & many of them have tried to quit before reaching legal age. Cigs are a product for kids

Alex3917 8y ago
Agreed. Loose leaf tobacco should be legal, pre-manufactured cigarettes absolutely should not be.

vkou 8y ago

Very few of those tobacco-related deaths are of 20 and 30 year-olds. I'm not sure if drugs take away more overall years of life then tobacco, but the numbers are probably not that far off.

toomanybeersies 8y ago

The difference is that tobacco itself doesn't kill people. It's the long term side effects. You can't overdose on cigarettes (although it is possible to OD on nicotine). 72,000 is just the number of sudden effects, ignoring the chronic long term effects of opiate abuse. It the same thing with alcohol. Very few alcoholics die from alcohol poisoning, it's the long term health problems that kill them.

Alex3917 8y ago
> Very few alcoholics die from alcohol poisoning, it's the long term health problems that kill them. Actually I think the median death from alcohol is mid-30s, with alcohol-related accidents and suicides being more common than chronic health issues.