1. Smoking Among Older
Adults
Brian Summey
Terry McFadden

2. Health Risks Older Adults (45+) 2
Older adults who smoke are at higher risk
Respiratory Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
Cardiovascular disease
Coronary artery disease
Stroke
Dementia
Cancer
Life expectancy (YPLL)

3. CDC September 2010

4. Health Risks Older Adults (45+) 4
● Older adults (45+)
○ Highest rate of smokers
○ Tend to be heavier smokers
○ Less likely to believe smoking is detrimental

5. Rates 5
● In 2008
○ Over 17 million Americans over age 45 smoked
○ Accounted for over 22% adult smokers
○ 9% adults 65+ currently smoke
● Preventable Disease Deaths
○ Smoking directly responsible for over 90% of deaths from:
■ COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
■ Emphysema
■ Chronic bronchitis

6. Rates (cont’d) 6
Preventable Disease Deaths
80-90% lung cancer deaths
Also major risk factor for:
coronary heart disease
stroke
lower respiratory tract infection
All leading causes of death for ages 50+

7. Rates (cont’d)
7
About 1 in 2 adults who continue to smoke cigarettes will die from smoking-
related causes.
Most likely will be 50+ years of age
COPD 2020
Men and women age 65+
Cataracts
Heart attack
YPLL (13-15)

8. Prevention
8

9. Prevention
9
Legislation to increase taxes
Smokefree indoor air laws
Smoke-free Air Challenge (American Lung Association)
Funding state prevention programs
CDC intervention guide
Section A.
Section B.
Section C.
States funding at this level
Alaska
North Dakota

11. Prevention (cont’d)
11
Health Reform
Medicare
2015 state control programs

12. Smoking Cessation Benefits
12
Cessation reduces prevalence of:
Cardiovascular Disease
Stroke
Cancer
Lung Cancer
Infertility

13. Public Health Implications
13
Annual Mortality Rates
Economic Development
Health Care Cost

14. Sources
"Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 6 Feb. 2014. Web. 7 Dec. 2014.
"Smoking and Older Adults - American Lung Association." American Lung Association. American Lung Association, 1 Feb.
2010. Web. 7 Dec. 2014.
"CDC Vital Signs September 2010 Tobacco Use." Vital Signs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Jan. 2010. Web.
7 Dec. 2014.
"Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs—2014." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 Apr. 2014. Web. 7 Dec. 2014.
"State at a Glance - State of Tobacco Control 2014 | American Lung Association." State of Tobacco Control 2014. American
Lung Association, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 7 Dec. 2014.
"Why Tobacco Is a Public Health Priority." WHO. World Health Organization. Web. 8 Dec. 2014.
"Fast Facts." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 Apr. 2014. Web. 8
Dec. 2014.