Older people are prone to smoking related diseases as they have smoked for a longer period as compared to the younger lot. They are less likely to quit smoking, as it is difficult to convince then about its bad effects on health. It is a habit that has been with them for a long time and cannot be given up so easily.
Judging by statistics, older people smoke more compared to their younger counterparts. Let us understand some of these facts to appreciate better the smoking habits of the older people in the U.S.
Smoking Habits of the Older People in the U.S.
- Smoking rates of the older generation are very high in the U.S.
- In 2006, over 20 million Americans above 45 were smokers (43% of total adult smokers). About 10% of American smokers above 65 years smoked.
- About 438,000 Americans die every year due to smoking-related diseases. 1 out 5 deaths in U.S. are due to smoking. More than 50% of the regular smokers will die due to addiction to cigarettes.
- Many smokers die of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and are also at a higher risk for coronary heart disease. All these are causes of death among people above 50 years.
- COPD rates are higher among the older people (above 65 years) and is among the ten chronic diseases. COPD is the fourth major cause of death and will in all probability become the third.
- The risk of death due to heart attack is higher among smokers above 65 years as compared to non-smokers.
- Those who smoke cigarettes are likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease as compared to those who do not smoke.
- Those who quit smoking even at an advanced age will gain in many ways health-wise.
- Merely reducing the number of cigarettes and not giving up smoking completely does not reduce the risk of dying due to smoking- related diseases.
- Studies indicate that middle age smokers who gave up smoking improved their breathing after giving up smoking.
Older smokers find it difficult to give up smoking. They are also less reluctant to do so as they feel they have been smoking for a very long time. Yet they are prone to several diseases related to smoking. Nonsmokers face less health hazards as compared to smokers.
