U.S. Surgeon General Says 1st and 2nd-hand Tobacco Smoke Causes Immediate Damage

The December 9^th publication, titled "How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease," outlines recent scientific research findings that reveal the disease dangers of cigarette and other tobacco products for human health.

This is the 30^th U.S. Surgeon General report in American history to warn about the health dangers of tobacco.

The latest findings indicate that tobacco smoke may quickly damage the human body's DNA, heart, lungs and other components - leading to significantly increased risk of cancer. The report also states that major tobacco manufacturers have purposely created tobacco products to increase their addictive properties. Apparently, the cigarettes produced today offer more efficient nicotine delivery to the body than their previous counterparts, making smoking more dangerous now than before.

The Surgeon General's office released an online video to educate the American public about the immediate dangers of tobacco smoke. The video begins with this statement:

"When you smoke, every puff damages cells throughout your body. The latest research shows cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals that spread through your blood vessels, causing inflammation and clotting, restricting oxygen flow and doubling your risk of heart attack and death."

Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, U.S. Surgeon General, said, "The chemicals in tobacco smoke reach your lungs quickly every time you inhale causing damage immediately. Inhaling even the smallest amount of tobacco smoke can also damage your DNA, which can lead to cancer."

Recent findings, cited in the December 9^th U.S. Surgeon General report, indicate that tobacco is responsible for one in three American cancer deaths and that smoking causes more than 85 percent of lung cancers nationwide. Also, the report claims first- and second-hand smoke exposure can decrease the effectiveness of chemotherapy and cancer treatments as well.

Smoking and tobacco inhalation has been medically linked to a variety of health concerns, including aortic aneurysm, bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, diabetic complications, emphysema, fetal risks, heart attacks, hypertension, infertility, miscarriages, strokes, sudden infant death syndrome and more.

Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced a federal initiative to encourage smoking cessation.

"Over the last two years we have stepped up efforts to reduce tobacco use," Kathleen Sebelius explained, "including implementing legislation to regulate tobacco products, investing in local tobacco control efforts and expanding access to insurance coverage for tobacco cessation. This will remain a key priority of [the Obama] Administration."

Who is U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin?

Appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama, Vice-Admiral Regina M. Benjamin (54), M.D., is the 18^th Surgeon General of the United States, overseeing the operations of the 6,500-member Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. The Surgeon General's office is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.