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The difference is that tobacco itself doesn't kill people. It's the long term side effects. You can't overdose on cigarettes (although it is possible to OD on nicotine).

72,000 is just the number of sudden effects, ignoring the chronic long term effects of opiate abuse.

It the same thing with alcohol. Very few alcoholics die from alcohol poisoning, it's the long term health problems that kill them.




> Very few alcoholics die from alcohol poisoning, it's the long term health problems that kill them.

Actually I think the median death from alcohol is mid-30s, with alcohol-related accidents and suicides being more common than chronic health issues.




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