American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown says New Data on Adult Smoking Rates and Secondhand Smoke Exposure Reveal Shortsightedness Among Too Many Policymakers to Take Necessary Steps to Reduce Tobacco Use
The nation’s fight against tobacco use and related-illnesses appears to be losing steam as adult smoking rates remain stagnant and an alarming number of children are exposed to secondhand smoke. The CDC’s articles titled, Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults Aged 18 and Up —United States, 2009 and Nonsmokers’ Exposure to Secondhand Smoke—United States, 1999–2008, reveal a shortsightedness among too many policymakers to take aggressive measures to reduce smoking rates and protect children from the health hazards associated with tobacco use.
The reports show that the 20.6 percent adult smoking rate in 2009 remains virtually unchanged over a five-year period with men outnumbering women smokers in the U.S. Furthermore, the data suggest more than half of all children in the U.S. are exposed to secondhand smoke with the home being a major source for exposure. Tobacco use is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke and other chronic illnesses and unfortunately, children cannot escape the cycle of addiction sustained by parents, guardians and other relatives who smoke in households across the country.
We cannot become complacent in our efforts to eliminate tobacco use across the country. Significant progress can be made with enactment of smoke-free policies, tobacco excise tax legislation and increased funding for comprehensive smoking cessation and tobacco control programs. Without bold action by our elected officials, too many lives, young and old, will suffer needlessly from chronic illness and burdensome health care expenses.
To read the CDC articles click here.
You can make a difference! Make sure to take action on AHA alerts so your policymakers here from you about tobacco issues! Click here to sign in and take action today!
The reports show that the 20.6 percent adult smoking rate in 2009 remains virtually unchanged over a five-year period with men outnumbering women smokers in the U.S. Furthermore, the data suggest more than half of all children in the U.S. are exposed to secondhand smoke with the home being a major source for exposure. Tobacco use is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke and other chronic illnesses and unfortunately, children cannot escape the cycle of addiction sustained by parents, guardians and other relatives who smoke in households across the country.
We cannot become complacent in our efforts to eliminate tobacco use across the country. Significant progress can be made with enactment of smoke-free policies, tobacco excise tax legislation and increased funding for comprehensive smoking cessation and tobacco control programs. Without bold action by our elected officials, too many lives, young and old, will suffer needlessly from chronic illness and burdensome health care expenses.
To read the CDC articles click here.
You can make a difference! Make sure to take action on AHA alerts so your policymakers here from you about tobacco issues! Click here to sign in and take action today!
Posts
One Response to "AHA CEO Nancy Brown's Statement on New Tobacco Use Data"