According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking contributes directly to the deaths of over 440,000 Americans each year. In economic terms, each pack of cigarettes sold costs $7.18 in medical costs and lost productivity. Easily, these figures place smoking and tobacco at the top of the list of greatest public health threats. Public policy aims to prevent people from picking up the habit and encourage others to kick it. Family physicians play a key role in prevention and treatment of tobacco addiction, as well as informing state policymakers on effective tobacco control policy.
Smoking and Tobacco
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