Cigarette Smokers Die Early: 4 Disturbing Facts

You know smoking's bad for you, but one cigarette wouldn't kill you. Right?

Estimates show that 42.1 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Yet smoking is the top cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. It contributes to lung cancer, numerous types of other cancers, liver disease, cardiovascular issues and not to mention bad breath and yellow teeth.

Recent findings published in the journal BMC Medicine show that close to two-thirds of smokers will die early from a cigarette-triggered illness, despite excessive warnings about the dangers of smoking.

The study is based on data from more than 200,000 individuals, of which 67 percent were smokers who perished from smoking-related illnesses.

"The relative risks of adverse health effects increase with increasing intensity of smoking," the study states, "measured by the amount of tobacco smoked per day, and with increasing duration of smoking."

Furthermore, researchers found that smoking 10 cigarettes a day doubles mortality risk while smoking a pack nearly quadruples it. 

Elementary guidance and doctor visits aren't always enough to sway the public from smoking. Scientists are still working on what it takes to stop these addictions.

Here are some additional facts and statistics on the deadly habit:

1.) Sixteen million people already have at least one disease from smoking

2.) Twenty million Americans have died from smoking since 1964, according to the CDC, including 2.5 million deaths from the exposure to secondhand smoke.

3.) An estimated 8.6 million will live with a serious chronic condition that will result from smoking.

4.) Smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than non-smokers.

Quitting isn't easy but it can happen. If you need help, here is a good place to start.