The Great American Smokeout -
A great time to quit smoking
By Erik Gaikowski, SD Grassroots Advocate, American Cancer Society
November 17 marks the American Cancer Society's 29th annual Great American Smokeout . On this day and throughout the month of November, The American Cancer Society encourages smokers to quit for a lifetime by starting with just one day.
Smoking remains the most preventable cause of death in our society, and we know that half of all men and women who continue to smoke will die from their cigarette smoking addiction. Roughly 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 teens in the United States are smokers. We also know that smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, and 30 percent of all cancer deaths.
Tobacco's Toll in South Dakota
" 30% of South Dakota's high school students smoke
" 23% of South Dakota's males use smokeless tobacco
" 19.3% of South Dakota's pregnant women smoke during pregnancy
Families need to take action in saving the lives of their loved ones. Over 1200 people die in America each day from using tobacco. The single most important thing a person can do to improve their long-term health and well-being is to quit smoking.
Resources to quit smoking:
The American Cancer Society uses science-based resources that can double your chances of quitting for good, including trained tobacco cessation specialists available round the clock. The American Cancer Society Quitline is a clinically proven, telephone-based counseling program that can achieve long-term abstinence rates of 50% for people who complete the program. Call 1.877.YES.QUIT (1.877.937.7848) for information on a program run by the American Cancer Society or to be referred to a state-run program.
Secondhand Smoke
Not only does the smoker face the consequences of smoking, but they also put their families at risk. Secondhand smoke causes cancer and heart disease in healthy nonsmokers.
There are 69 known or probable carcinogens found in secondhand smoke such as Formaldehyde (used in embalming), arsenic (rat poison), DDT and lead. Ventilation (airing out a room or opening a window) does not eliminate the health problems of second-hand smoke.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to develop pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, middle ear disease and respiratory tract infections. People who work in food service, bar, hospitality and the labor industry have significant risk of developing lung cancer due to secondhand smoke exposure.
Each year in American more than 3,000 non-smokers die of lung cancer as a result of breathing secondhand smoke
A great time to quit smoking
By Erik Gaikowski, SD Grassroots Advocate, American Cancer Society
November 17 marks the American Cancer Society's 29th annual Great American Smokeout . On this day and throughout the month of November, The American Cancer Society encourages smokers to quit for a lifetime by starting with just one day.
Smoking remains the most preventable cause of death in our society, and we know that half of all men and women who continue to smoke will die from their cigarette smoking addiction. Roughly 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 teens in the United States are smokers. We also know that smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, and 30 percent of all cancer deaths.
Tobacco's Toll in South Dakota
" 30% of South Dakota's high school students smoke
" 23% of South Dakota's males use smokeless tobacco
" 19.3% of South Dakota's pregnant women smoke during pregnancy
Families need to take action in saving the lives of their loved ones. Over 1200 people die in America each day from using tobacco. The single most important thing a person can do to improve their long-term health and well-being is to quit smoking.
Resources to quit smoking:
The American Cancer Society uses science-based resources that can double your chances of quitting for good, including trained tobacco cessation specialists available round the clock. The American Cancer Society Quitline is a clinically proven, telephone-based counseling program that can achieve long-term abstinence rates of 50% for people who complete the program. Call 1.877.YES.QUIT (1.877.937.7848) for information on a program run by the American Cancer Society or to be referred to a state-run program.
Secondhand Smoke
Not only does the smoker face the consequences of smoking, but they also put their families at risk. Secondhand smoke causes cancer and heart disease in healthy nonsmokers.
There are 69 known or probable carcinogens found in secondhand smoke such as Formaldehyde (used in embalming), arsenic (rat poison), DDT and lead. Ventilation (airing out a room or opening a window) does not eliminate the health problems of second-hand smoke.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to develop pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, middle ear disease and respiratory tract infections. People who work in food service, bar, hospitality and the labor industry have significant risk of developing lung cancer due to secondhand smoke exposure.
Each year in American more than 3,000 non-smokers die of lung cancer as a result of breathing secondhand smoke
