Who's smoking now? The epidemiology of tobacco use in the United States and abroad

Numerous epidemiological studies have linked tobacco use with a wide variet y of diseases. Strong government-supported anti-smoking campaigns have decr eased the prevalence of smoking in many developed countries, including the United States. However, it remains a major public health pariah. In develop ing countries, such as China, cigarette smoking and other forms of tobacco use continue to increase. If unchecked this will eventually lead to 10 mill ion deaths per year worldwide. Even in the United States, the prevalence of smoking is rising in crucial population groups such as adolescents. Recent advances have made physicians more able to help patients quit smoking but organized campaigns must be further strengthened to prevent the initiation of tobacco use, especially in the young.