Commercial Tobacco Control Framework
Minnesota’s recent commercial tobacco prevention efforts, led by community advocates and local public health, have driven innovative policy, systems, and environmental changes centered on health equity. These efforts include local communities passing Tobacco 21 laws before federal and state legislation, policies prohibiting the sale of flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol, starting in 2017, and […]
Youth and Tobacco Use
Youth use of tobacco products in any form is dangerous and poses significant health risks, not just to the individual but to those around them as well. Preventing tobacco use among young people is essential to reducing overall rates of tobacco addiction, as the habit is often established during adolescence. In fact, nearly 9 out […]
Health Effects of Cigarettes: Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) encompass conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). In the U.S., coronary heart disease (CHD), caused by plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, is the most common form of heart disease. This plaque, made up of cholesterol and […]
Smoking, Gum Disease, and Tooth Loss
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a serious infection of the gums that can impact the bone structure supporting your teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss in severe cases. Smoking is a major contributor to severe gum disease in the U.S. The condition begins with bacteria on your teeth that can slip beneath the gums, […]
Tobacco Use and Oral Health Facts
If you’re a smoker or know someone who is, you’ve probably heard all the usual warnings about lung health, but smoking’s impact on your oral health doesn’t get talked about as much. Your mouth is the gateway to your body, and smoking can wreak havoc on it in ways that might surprise you. From stained […]
E-Cigarette Use Among Adults
Adults often view vaping or e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes or cigars. Many turn to e-cigarettes as a means of reducing their tobacco consumption or quitting smoking altogether. However, it’s important to note that e-cigarettes are not a healthy alternative for anyone, as they still pose significant health risks and concerns. Some […]
Tobacco
Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Each year, cigarette smoking is responsible for over 480,000 deaths, including around 41,000 nonsmoking adults and 400 infants who succumb to the dangers of secondhand smoke. While the number of adult smokers has significantly decreased over the past fifty […]
Health Effects of Cigarettes: Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases where cells grow uncontrollably, invading other parts of your body. These rogue cells can spread through your blood and lymph systems, which normally help clear toxins. There are over 100 types of cancer, each named after where it starts. For instance, lung cancer begins in the lungs, and laryngeal […]
Diseases and Death
Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body. This insidious habit not only puts smokers at risk of life-threatening illnesses such as lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke but also contributes to chronic conditions that severely reduce the quality of life. The detrimental effects extend beyond the smoker, endangering […]
Smoking and COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a collection of conditions that obstruct airflow and lead to breathing difficulties. COPD encompasses diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. With COPD, reduced airflow occurs through the airways, which are the tubes responsible for carrying air in and out of your lungs due to one or more of […]