Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and although the number of smokers has declined steadily for the past few decades, over 37 million people—approximately 14% of the adult population—continue to smoke.¹ Smoking costs the United States billions of dollars each year in medical expenditures and lost productivity, in addition to the tens of thousands who die from smoking related illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.² Smokers who want to quit may seek help from their healthcare provider to do so.

Understanding the myths and misconceptions of smoking may assist healthcare providers in smoking cessation discussions with their patients. Take a look at one common misconception below.