According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking is still the leading cause of preventable and premature death.
- 1,300 SD adults die every year from smoking.ⓘ
- 21,000 SD kids under 18 alive today will die prematurely from smoking.ⓘ
As cigarette use declines, the next generation of tobacco users are recruited with other products like e-cigarettes. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, e-cigarette use among youth has hit epidemic levels. Because most regular tobacco use starts during adolescence, these products put South Dakota youth at risk for a lifetime of nicotine addiction.
In addition to health consequences, South Dakota’s economy ⓘ also suffers:
- Every year, South Dakota spends $373 million in healthcare costs and loses $282.5 million in productivity, directly caused by smoking.
- Residents’ state and federal tax burdens from smoking-caused government expenditures equal $790 per household every year.
- Medicaid costs caused by smoking in South Dakota equal $70.2 million every year.
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