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It does distinguish, at least between smoking and alcohol: While many fewer Americans are killed from alcohol than from tobacco, the absolute percentages are s
by salmonellaeater 12y ago
It does distinguish, at least between smoking and alcohol:
While many fewer Americans are killed from alcohol than from tobacco, the absolute percentages are somewhat deceiving; whereas the lifespan of current smokers is about 12 years shorter compared to those who have never smoked, the average death from alcohol comes a whopping 29 years prematurely.
- the_watcher 12y agoThis seems like comparing apples to oranges. Looking at the average lifespan of smokers v. the average age of an alcohol related death isn't right. It should either be the average lifespan of those who drink (or perhaps even more accurately, alcoholics) v. the average lifespan of smokers. Or, the average age of a smoking related death v. the average age of an alcohol related death (and within this, probably should add something that splits out causes between alcohol related decision making, ie drunk driving and alcohol related illnesses, although the point of the comparison is to highlight the dangers, so the fact that smoking doesn't result in drunk driving accidents is important).
- Alex3917 12y ago> This seems like comparing apples to oranges. Looking at the average lifespan of smokers v. the average age of an alcohol related death isn't right. It is an apples and oranges comparison, but that's just the data we have. I tried to word this in a way that highlighted the fact that the comparison was a little dodgy.
- the_watcher 12y agoThanks for the clarification. I'm just pretty wary of any conclusions drawn from this comparison, given the issues I highlighted.
- Alex3917 12y agoThat's probably a good idea. But hopefully surfacing the lack of good data is at least some productive.