Anatomy and physiology, Economics - Essay Example

In this essay, the effects of cigarette smoking on the health of people and the economy of the nation will be discussed. According to the CDC, in the United States, about 19.8 percent of all individuals over 18 years of age smoke cigarettes. It has been estimated that 43.4 million people in the country resort to smoking. The activity is more in men than in women, While 22.3 percent of men smoke, only 17.4 percent of women smoke. The highest incidence of smoking is between the age groups 18- 44 years and the lowest incidence is in the age group beyond 65 years.

American Indians/ Alaska Natives have the highest incidence rates of smoking amongst ethnics groups, the rate being as high as 36.4 percent. The lowest rate is seen amongst Asians (9.6 percent). In the year 2007, it was estimated that 20 percent of high school students resorted to smoking (CDC, 2009). The rates were similar in girls and boys. While 21 percent of boys were smoker, 19 percent of girls were smokers. As far as ethnic groups were concerned, 23 percent of White high school students, 12 percent of Hispanic high school children and 12 percent of African American students were smokers.

Every day, approximately 2900 young people between 12- 17 years of age group resort to their first experience of smoking (CDC, 2009). Smoking is associated with many health-related problems and hence is a major health-related issue. It is a leading cause of illness and death all over the world and also in United States. It affects almost every organ of the body, causes many diseases and reduces the general health of the smoker. It has been estimated that 1 in every 5 deaths in the United States is related to cigarette smoking.

Every year about 438,000 deaths occur due to cigarette smoking (CDC, 2009). According to CDC, for every single individual who dies due to cigarette smoking, 20 more people suffer from atleast one serious ill effects of smoking.