Quitting smoking is tough, and better treatments are needed
The impact of smoking
- Tobacco use results in approximately 500,000 premature deaths each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- It’s the single largest cause of premature deaths worldwide, and accounts for an estimated 20% of all deaths in developed countries
- Direct health care and lost productivity costs connected to smoking total nearly $300 billion a year in the U.S
Unmet Needs
- Nearly 40 million American adults smoke, and about 70% report that they want to quit
- It’s estimated that only 3% to 5% of cigarette smokers who try to quit without help are successful for 6 to 12 months
- Even with currently available treatment options, relapse rates remain above 80%
