Smoking remains the single largest leading cause of preventable disease, death, and disability, in the U.S., accounting for more than 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths35. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that adult smoking rates have declined in the US from 1 out of nearly every 535 adults in 2005 to 1 in 10 as of 202036.
Owen County has a significantly higher rate of adults who smoke, with a rate of 28% or 1 in 3.6 adults37.
The financial burden of tobacco use is significant, costing the U.S. billions of dollars each year. Comprehensive tobacco policies have demonstrated positive effects on the rates of tobacco use among adults and youth alike, recognizing a 10-15% reduction in smoking prevalence where comprehensive tobacco policies have been in place for eight years. (The Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, The Impact of Implementing Tobacco Control Policies: The 2017 Tobacco Control Policy Scorecard).
