Fourteen million. That staggering number represents the lives lost since the U.S. Surgeon General first warned of smoking’s dangers decades ago. As this editorial notes, new threats like vaping and expanding cannabis use add to the public health challenge, calling for urgent action.

Health experts are examining whether nicotine disrupts the “lung-brain axis,” potentially triggering severe cognitive issues. Early accounts suggest that vaping may carry the same risks as traditional cigarettes, prompting urgency for further inquiry into dementia concerns.