Impact of Tobacco

In Massachusetts, tobacco-related illnesses kill more people than HIV/AIDS, car crashes, homicide, suicide, and poisoning combined.

People who smoke are more likely to suffer disabling and often painful illnesses that reduce their quality of life—including stroke, several types of cancers, emphysema, and other respiratory illnesses.

The economic impact of tobacco use is also staggering. Each year in Massachusetts, personal health care expenses due to smoking amount to $3.9 billion. Businesses in the Commonwealth also suffer, losing $1.67 billion in lost due to the death of smokers.

For more information on this topic, see “Health and Economic Consequences of Tobacco Use” at www.mass.gov/dph/mtcp.