Tobacco Smoking: Public Health, Science and Policy

Dear Colleagues,

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, and is estimated to kill more than 5 million people each year worldwide (WHO). Tobacco use is associated with a number of different cancers, including lung cancer, as well as with chronic lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Smoking also increases the risk of many other types of cancer, including cancers of the throat, mouth, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix. In addition to the health effects, tobacco use also imposes economic burdens on individuals and countries in direct medical costs and indirect costs from reduced productivity. Involuntary exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) contributes to morbidity and mortality in nonsmokers. Smoke-free environments not only protect non-smokers, they reduce tobacco consumption among smokers and encourage smokers to quit.

This Special Issue is open to any subject area of public health, science and policy related to tobacco smoking. The listed keywords suggest just a few of the many possibilities.

Dr. Jennifer Kahende
Guest Editor