Tobacco Health Risks: Department of Health

Tobacco Health Risks

Smoking and tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, disease, and disability. More Americans die from smoking-related illnesses than from drug overdoses, car accidents, suicides, and homicides combined. Tobacco use is linked to cancers affecting all organs of the human body, including lung and oral cancers. Tobacco use can cause or worsen respiratory illness, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions.

What you should do

If you smoke cigarettes, vape nicotine, or use other tobacco, quit. Every try counts. Keep trying. Free help is available. MORE
Work in your local community to pass and support policies that prevent youth tobacco use. MORE
Help prevent teen tobacco use. All teens are at risk. Educate kids and teens about the severe health risks and dangers of tobacco use, including vaping. MORE
Promote and protect smoke-free and tobacco-free living wherever people live, learn, work, and play. MORE
Know how the tobacco industry targets teens. Learn how your community can stop them. MORE

What Insurance providers must do

Provide tobacco cessation coverage. more

What healthcare providers should do

Help your patients quit tobacco through evidence-based tobacco addiction treatment services.
Age 13-17 Age 18+
Refer patients age 18+ who smoke to Quitworks-RI for free telephone counseling and free nicotine replacement therapy gum, patches, or lozenges (while supplies last).
Help patients navigate insurance options for tobacco cessation services:
- RI Commercial Health Insurance Tobacco Cessation Benefits (2018)
- RI Medicaid Insurance Tobacco Cessation Benefits (2018)