AIG and Big Tobacco

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 5 deaths in the United States is related to smoking. In 1982, the Surgeon General reported that cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer mortality, and it is the most preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Each year, 440,000 people die from tobacco use. Tobacco use kills more people than car accidents, suicides, AIDS, homicides and illegal drugs combined. Does this get your attention? The use of tobacco contributes to lung, oral cavity, pharyngeal and esophageal cancers. It also contributes to bladder, pancreatic, liver, uterine cervical, kidney, stomach, colon, and rectal cancers, as well as some leukemias. There is probably not a person alive today who has not lost a loved one, a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker or an acquaintance to the use of tobacco. I know I have. Did you know there are over 4000 compounds in tobacco and tobacco smoke, and that 43 of those compounds are carcinogens? Carcinogens are chemicals/products and/or byproducts that cause cancer. Ouch! Why would anyone smoke? The answer is simple. People try it, usually hate it at first, but eventually become addicted. I know, I used to smoke. I began smoking as a teen-ager because my friends were smoking. I was one of Big Tobacco's targets.



I titled this blog "AIG and Big Tobacco." So, where does AIG come in? Actually, AIG has nothing to do with Big Tobacco. However, in comparison, the tobacco industry pays its top execs large salaries and bonuses just like AIG, but Big Tobacco sells a product that literally kills its own customers. Not everyone dies from smoking, but all who smoke endanger their health to some degree. The longer they smoke, the odds are they will develop a smoking-related illness. The majority of smokers who do not quit and make it to age 70+ are usually on oxygen and have emphysema or chronic debilitating bronchitis. Their quality of life is severely impaired.



My next blog will discuss the salaries of Big Tobacco executives, and I will share some personal stories from people who have sat by helplessly and watched their loved ones destroy their health. Until next time, encourage someone to quit. Encourage them to "butt out" and live to be 100.