Image Source: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Our Turlock dental practice loves being part of local and national smoking cessation efforts. We feel it's a very worthy cause, and as stewards of good public health we feel it's our duty to do what we can to curb tobacco use. We've been a part of anti-smoking programs in local schools, and we've supported larger efforts like the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
This important non-profit organization was started in 1995 and has worked hard to reduce tobacco use ever since. In this post, we're going to share five reasons we support the efforts of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and why you should too.
Tobacco Kills Way Too Many!
According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and kills more than 7 million people worldwide every year. Put simply, tobacco is an enormous public health threat. Working with organizations that use proven strategies to reduce tobacco use among the world's younger populations is extremely effective in lowering the number who die from tobacco use.
Efforts of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids are Working
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette use among high school students in the U.S. is at its lowest level in 24 years. It's never been more important to continue pushing to end teen tobacco consumption.
Smokeless Tobacco Use is Increasing Among Some Age Groups
According to the United States Surgeon General, the use of smokeless tobacco is starting to reverse a positive trend. For the first time in many years, the rates of smokeless tobacco use among youth aren't decreasing, and the Department of Human and Health Services say it's actually increasing among some age groups.
Adolescent Tobacco Use Causes Permanent Damage
One of the most important reasons to support efforts like the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is because of the damage smoking does to young bodies. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, smoking causes early heart damage and long-term issues with lung development. Learning about and supporting non-profits that promote youth no-smoking programs are some of the best ways to keep our kids healthy.
People Who Start Smoking as Kids Find it Much Harder to Quit
The American Lung Association reports every day approximately 2,500 kids under 18 light up their first cigarette. Of those 2,500, more than 400 will become daily smokers. Many studies also point out that people who start smoking when they're younger will have a much stronger addiction to nicotine than those who pick up the habit when they're older.
Thanks for Reading!
We encourage our readers to learn about ways to support efforts to prevent adolescent tobacco use. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is one of many great ways to get involved with the cause.
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