Quitting smoking reduces a person's risk of lung cancer, heart attack, stroke, or respiratory illness. More than 10,000 Georgians die each year from tobacco-related illnesses more than from alcohol, cocaine, heroin, AIDS, murder, suicide, auto accidents and fires combined. According to the 1998 Georgia Epidemiology Report, one out of every six adult deaths in Georgia can be attributed to smoking. The 1999 Georgia Youth Tobacco Survey reported over half of Georgia middle school students reported experimentation with some form of tobacco. Approximately one in five middle school students are current cigarette smokers.
Tobacco addiction is a childhood disease.
Among Georgia middle school students, smoking rates significantly increased between sixth and eighth grade subgroups. Environmental or second-hand smoke can cause serious problems for nonsmokers, especially children. Public health clinics in each county provide general health counseling, prevention and education about smoking and referrals to smoking cessation classes. The Division of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse is studying the frequency with which teenagers are able to buy tobacco products in Georgia. This is required for federal substance abuse block grant funding.