Surgeon General's Report Estimates Millions of Premature Deaths Linked to Current Smoking Rates

A recent Surgeon General's report estimates that approximately 5.6 million children currently living in the United States will die prematurely from diseases related to smoking if current smoking rates do not decrease. The report specifically focuses on children under the age of 18.

The report highlights the potential for significant loss of life attributable to smoking. The Surgeon General's office released the report with an emphasis on preventing future smoking-related deaths by lowering general smoking rates. The report did not offer any specific suggestions regarding how to lower smoking rates.