Addressing the insidious health and financial burden of tobacco use in Missouri: the role of medical and public health professionals.

Despite the widespread knowledge that tobacco use causes death and debilitating disease, tobacco control efforts in Missouri remain inadequate. No other health issue combines the prevalence, lethality, and neglect of tobacco addiction. This paper discusses comprehensive tobacco-use prevention and cessation programs that could, if implemented, effectively reduce tobacco-related health problems. Successful tobacco control efforts change society by creating an environment in which nonsmoking is the norm and quitting smoking is supported. This paper concludes that it is time for medicine and public health professionals to communicate, collaborate, and assume leadership in reducing the health burden of tobacco use in Missouri.