Tobacco Use Critical Issue for People With HIV

Today, we join the World Health Organization (WHO) in recognizing World No Tobacco Dayand the global devastation caused by tobacco use.

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly six million people each year, including 600,000 from secondhand smoke. If current trends continue, tobacco use will kill up to 8 million people per year by 2030, of which more than 80% will live in low- and middle-income countries.

Tobacco use is a critical issue for all of us, including people living with HIV. Smoking rates of people living with HIV are estimated to be two to three times higher than the national average, and smoking weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight off HIV-related infections.

There are many ways to quit smoking. Visit www.smokefree.gov for resources to help you or someone you care about quit smoking.