Helathy People 2010:Tobacco

According to Healthy People 2010, cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. Smoking results in more deaths each year in the United States than AIDS, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, homicide, suicide, motor vehicle crashes, and firesÐ'--combined. As a current smoker with a 10-pack/year history, this affects me closely as I had a grandparent that had lung cancer and I am at an increased risk also. I know the effects of tobacco use and yet I continue to smoke. Personally, I know that trying to quit smoking is difficult and have tried several times.

The goal of Healthy People 2010 is to reduce cigarette smoking by adults and adolescents. By 2000, the prevalence of smoking by adults declined by 2%, and adolescents down to 28% from 35%. Most adult smokers developed the habit as an adolescent and continue to smoke. Thirty three states now have "quit lines" in place, to assist people who are trying to quit. There they can speak with counselors and get advice and information on quitting strategies. Medicare and Medicaid have launched programs in several states with regard to reimbursement programs for older Americans who are trying to quit smoking.

Several new approaches to reduce smoking include targeting specific audiences with advertising that influences them to quit smoking, especially the higher incidence populations, initiating toll-free quit lines in all states, and informing the public of the many toxins and cancer causing agents in cigarettes. Minnesota already has some of these plans in place and is working on several other initiatives. Plans in place include limiting exposure to secondhand smoke with clean indoor air policies, media campaigns about the tobacco company's lies, cigarette tax increases and youth education.

Many schools already have programs in place educating kids about the dangers of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. Schools and area where school activities take place are tobacco-free zones. Most cities have passed laws making restaurants and public areas smoke free zones and research has shown the hospitality industry has not lost money.

In 1998, tobacco companies were forced to stop directing marketing towards teens. Several schools adopted policies forbidding clothes, books or magazines that contained tobacco marketing materials. Minnesota also had all the billboards with tobacco advertising removed; Target Market began spreading its anti-tobacco message to many in the state, allowing kids to identify with a group fighting the "big tobacco companies." Increasing the tax on cigarettes has deterred