Today is the "Great American Smokeout," a campaign to encourage smokers to not smoke for one day, with the hope that it may serve as the first of many days to be smoke free. We can all do our part to reduce the number of smokers and help to eliminate tobacco-related diseases.
This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a comprehensive tobacco control action plan, titled, "Ending the Tobacco Epidemic." This plan is designed to help reduce the adult smoking rate to 12 percent by 2020. The current rate, from the Centers for Disease Control, is that 25 percent of Alaskan adults smoke. HHS urges all Alaskans to help Alaska reach the 12 percent target.
Regardless of whether you are a smoker, live with a smoker, are an employer, a health care provider, a state, tribal or local leader, a parent, family member or friend, there are things you can do to help reach this goal. If you smoke -- quit smoking, and don't quit trying to quit! If you are a smoker, reduce the risks to others -- don't smoke in your home or vehicles. These closed environments increase the secondhand smoke exposure to you and others. If you need help, it is a phone call away -- the Alaska free quit line is 888-842-7848. Call them today to discover how they can help.
• If you are a parent, whether you smoke or not, teach your children about the harmful effects of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
• If you are an employer, establish smoke-free policies and provide employee health insurance coverage that includes help in quitting.
• If you are a health care provider, advise and help patients and parents and caregivers to quit tobacco use.
• If you are a state, tribal, or local leader, reduce tobacco use by making tobacco products less accessible, affordable and accepted. Ensure that employees are protected from exposure to secondhand smoke in public places and in the workplace.
• If you are a friend or family member, provide support, encouragement and acknowledgement of the difficult task that those attempting to quit are engaged in.
Cigarette smoke contains at least 250 chemicals that can cause serious health problems, and diseases related to smoking cause the most number of deaths in Alaska. In an effort to stop deceptive cigarette company marketing and educate people about smoking's harmful effects, local and federal governments have recently taken action on a number of measures.
Last June, the Food and Drug Administration was granted new responsibility to regulate tobacco products. This includes new regulations that prohibit marketing practices aimed at children such as giving out free samples and advertising in youth-oriented magazines.
In addition, this week the FDA announced a proposed rule that will drastically change the look and messages on a pack of cigarettes. New graphic warning labels will replace the old warning phases with pictures showing the negative health consequences of smoking.
Locally, I want to commend the Anchorage Assembly, and the leadership of Chairman Dick Traini, for raising the tax on cigarettes last week. While increasing cigarette taxes is one of the most effective methods to reduce smoking, it was not any easy decision to make.
Today, on "Great American Smokeout," make it your day to quit or encourage a friend or family member to quit. We can all help to reduce the number of smokers in Alaska and eliminate tobacco-related disease and suffering.
Susan Johnson was appointed in 2009 by President Barack Obama as regional director of Region 10 in the Department of Health and Human Services, serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
By SUSAN JOHNSON