The World Health Organization has again geared up its annual push to eliminate smoking around the world. While smoking rates in the United States have steadily declined in recent decades, tobacco use in other countries is booming.

There are an estimated 1 billion smokers in the world.

In places like Russia, Indonesia and Armenia, more than half of men smoke every day. In Greece, 30 percent of women smoke; in Austria, Chile and France, it's 25 percent.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death. The health effects of smoking kill nearly 6 million people annually, including 600,000 nonsmokers. By one estimate, if cigarette consumption was halved by 2020, roughly 25 million deaths could be prevented in the first quarter of the 21st century.

Not Looking Good

The number of Americans who are blind or visually impaired is rising, and could double by 2050 according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology. Last year, it was estimated that approximately 1 million Americans were blind — a figure that is projected to increase 21 percent every decade through 2050. The increase is partly due to the aging baby boomer population.

More than 10,000 Boomers turn 65 each day.

Body of Knowledge

The human body has 45 miles of nerves.

Number Cruncher

A tablespoon of orange marmalade (20 grams) contains 49 calories, zero from fat. It contains zero milligrams of cholesterol; 11 mg of sodium; 13 grams of total carbohydrates; 12 grams of sugar and 0.1 g of protein.

Stories for the Waiting Room

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a $300,000 fine to a company called Viatek for selling a bracelet laced with mint on the Home Shopping Network. The company claimed, without any supporting scientific evidence, that the bracelet would "naturally" repel mosquitoes, including those perhaps carrying the Zika virus.

Doc Talk

Anhidrosis: the abnormal absence of sweat

Phobia of the Week

Gephyrophobia: fear of bridges

Never Say Diet

The Major League Eating record for Native American frybread is 9.75 in 8 minutes, held by Erik Denmark. Frybread is a plate-sized flat dough that is fried or deep-fried in oil, shortening or lard.

Best Medicine

Hypochondriac: "Doc, the left side of my body really hurts. I think I have appendicitis."

Doctor: "Your appendix is on the right side of your body."

Hypochondriac: "That must be why it hurts so much. It's on the wrong side."

Observation

"If you trust Google more than your own doctor, maybe it's time to switch doctors." — Jadelr and Cristina Cordova in "Chasing Windmills" (2006)

Self-Exam

True or False: Hangovers are gender-blind.

Answer: If a man and woman drink the same amount, the woman will likely be affected faster and longer. Partly that's due to the man's larger body size; partly because men have a higher percentage of water in their bodies, which helps dilute the alcohol they drink. When women drink the same amount, more alcohol builds up in their bloodstreams.

Sum Body

10 common injuries associated with sports. How many have you had?

1. Achilles tendinitis

2. Concussion

3. Groin strain

4. Shin splints

5. Lower back pain

6. Pulled muscle

7. Tennis or golf elbow

8. Ankle sprain

9. Shoulder injury

10. Runner's knee

Epitaphs

Here lies Anne Mann; she live an

Old maid and died an old Mann.

—On a tombstone at Bath Abbey in England

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Alexander Baxevanis