(Dallas, TX - November 16, 2009) - The American Cancer Society is kicking off its 34th annual "Smoke Out" by joining with Methodist Health System, Dallas, in a "Let's go cold turkey," awareness event.
The Great American Smokeout® (GASO) will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009, from 10 am - 2 pm, at the Methodist Dallas Medical Center lobby, 1441 Beckley Ave., Dallas.
Free smoking cessation kits, games and a "Turkey Draw" to win a free frozen turkey will be among the attractions.
This year, in Texas, lung cancer claimed 9,780 lives, and a large percent of those could potentially be prevented by efforts to reducing smoking.
"What better time to think about stopping smoking? said Donna Rankin, regional director of Health Initiatives for the High Plains Division, American Cancer Society, Dallas, Texas. "A smoke-free world - now that's something that we could be all be thankful for, someday"
In 1952, the American Cancer Society began a large study to investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on death rates from cancer and other diseases. That initial study spawned off additional large-scale research efforts, such as the Society's Cancer Prevention Studies, all of which made notable contributions to the science that links cigarette smoking to cancer. Galvanized by these findings, the Society inaugurated its first GASO in 1976, as a way to inspire and encourage smokers to quit for one day.
Today, as a result of the Society's tireless efforts in tobacco control:
- A growing number of states and communities have passed smoke-free workplace laws;
- Most states ban distribution of free cigarettes. Nationally, tobacco advertising is banned on broadcast media
- Cigarette smoking has increasingly become the exception.
Most importantly, as a result of ALL of the above, lung cancer incidence and death rates have declined in men and stabilized in women. Per capita cigarette consumption is at its lowest since World War II. As of July 2009, the Society was funding 89 multi-year research grants on lung cancer totaling more than $49 million, setting the Society as the top non-governmental supporter of lung cancer research.
In spite of all the progress in the fight against lung cancer, tobacco continues to claim lives, and smoking still remains the leading preventable cause of death in this country and around the world. This year lung cancer will claim 159, 390 lives and another 219,440 will develop lung cancer (Cancer Facts & Figures, 2009). Lung cancer is the top cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women. The American Cancer Society continues its tobacco control mission with a focused agenda - that offering effective cessation resources to smokers combined with creating a healthy, smoke-free environment is the fastest way to eliminate disease and death from tobacco use.
Secondhand Smoke Statistics (SHS)
Secondhand smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), contains numerous human carcinogens for which there is no safe level of exposure. Scientific consensus groups have repeatedly reviewed the data on ETS. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2008)
Risks for Adults:
- Secondhand smoke has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).
- Secondhand smoke is estimated to cause approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year.
- An estimated 35,000 - 45,000 deaths are caused from heart disease in people who are not current smokers, but are exposed to secondhand smoke.
- Exposure may cause irritation of the eye, nose, and throat, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and reduced lung function in adult nonsmokers.
- Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 substances, more than 60 of which are known or suspected carcinogens, suspected to cause cancer in humans and animals, and many of which are strong irritants.
Yesterday, the American Cancer Society announced it has secured the funds needed to complete construction of Hope Lodge Lubbock. The Society has raised $11 million of the $15 million capital campaign.
