More Than 480,000 Deaths Per Year in USA Caused by Cigarettes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States and more than 5 million deaths per year worldwide. By 2030, using current trends, more than 8 million deaths per year worldwide will be attributed to tobacco use. 

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) joins the World Health Organization in recognizing May 31 as World No Tobacco Day. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death.  Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases (including emphysema, bronchitis, and chronic airway obstruction), and diabetes.

Residents who want to quit smoking can sign up for a seven-week quit smoking class offered by MCDH and Centegra Health System.  The next class begins Wednesday, July 9 from 6pm-7:30pm at Centegra McHenry Hospital, 4201 W Medical Center Drive in McHenry.  Instruction is provided by MCDH staff that is trained in the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® program. This program is considered the “gold standard” and has helped tens of thousands of smokers quit over the last 30 years. MCDH reports between 70%-75% of class participants have quit smoking by the end of the program, when used in combination with smoking cessation medication.  

A $25 course fee, payable at the first class, is refundable if all sessions are attended. Class members will also receive a free 3-day pass to Centegra’s Health Bridge Fitness Center. To register, call MCDH at 815-334-4525 or 1-877-CENTEGRA. To speak to a counselor, call 1-866-QUIT-YES.