3 ms·

I am having trouble believing this figure. Lung cancer incidence for heavy smokers is 20%. Where do the other 30% of deaths come from?

• DoofusOfDeath 8y ago
  Perhaps emphysema and heart disease?
• dmm 8y ago
  It's mostly cardiovascular disease. The CDC has a breakdown of yearly smoking deaths[0]. And the 50% number comes from the WHO[1]. [0] https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/tobacco_related_mortality/index.htm https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/heal... [1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco
  • mturmon 8y ago
    Respiratory diseases under the umbrella term COPD (which includes emphysema) are another large category represented in that table. And alas, in my family.
• GarrisonPrime 8y ago
  The highest risk of death from smoking is due to coronary artery disease. The chemicals irritate the vessels, causing atherosclerosis.
  • posterboy 8y ago
    One would think, might even have been taught, that the tar clogs arteries. But the "chemicals" also lead to cramps, tension, increased heart rate, shallow breath. Perhaps that's one "stimulating" effect of nicotine, so vaping wouldn't help. PS: I still think that nicotine alone isn't responsible for the addiction, but the warming, though consequently chilling effect, and the oral stimulation, that may affect neural pathways related to eating and drinking. And, arguably this counts all the more if it can be made to taste like apple, though cigarettes get flavors add from vanilla over cinnamon, honey, licorice and I don't wanna know what else, too.