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the North Platte Telegraph
put out those cigarette butts for a single day, and maybe you’ll put them out for good. That’s the message anti-smoking and health organizations send today as they mark the 35th Annual great American Smokeout.
an estimated 400,000 Americans die every year from lung cancer associated with smoking. while Nebraska only has a population of 1.8 million, close to 2,000 Nebraskans die each year from smoking-related illnesses. Smoking is a proven killer and yet tobacco continues to be a multi-billion dollar industry.
the recent decision by the Federal Drug Administration to put graphic warning marks on cigarette packages will be a needed knock over the head, according to Community Connections Tobacco Free Lincoln County Coordinator Bonnie Kruse.
“People, especially kids, tend to be very visual,” she said. “I can talk until I’m blue in the face about the dangers of smoking, but these graphic packages will be very effective with kids who are thinking about experimenting with tobacco and even for those who are exposing themselves to those dangers by smoking.”
Kruse said the great American Smokeout has been an effective tool in raising awareness to those problems, as well.
“The problem with tobacco use is that it’s not something that is going to hurt you that day,” she said. “You aren’t going to smoke one cigarette and get lung cancer that day. It’s something that takes a long time, so a day like the great American Smokeout is a day to encourage people to stop using tobacco and raise the awareness about the dangers of smoking and the damage that is being done to those who use.”
Kruse said she hopes it’s a day that people will mark as a starting point to stop smoking, but it’s also equally important in continuing to get the awareness and education out to the public.
“Locally,” she said, “the efforts made by individuals, businesses and organizations like the college and hospital to implement tobacco-free environments goes beyond one day in the message we send to visitors about the harmful effects of tobacco use.”
the American Cancer Society and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services have a joint message for the great American Smokeout, which is “Less smoking leads to more birthdays.”
“Quitting tobacco use is one of the best things you can do to improve your overall health,” said Dr. Joann Schaefer, the state’s Chief Medical Officer in a prepared statement. “The great American Smokeout is an brilliant day to take that first step.”
Mike Lefler, Director of Communications for the Nebraska Region of the American Cancer Society acknowledges that it’s not an simple road, but that your life may depend upon it.
“We know that quitting smoking is tough and that most smokers have to try several times before quitting for good,” he said. “We hope that smokers will use the great American Smokeout to map out a course of action that will help them quit, stay well and celebrate more birthdays.”
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