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9/ accessHealthnews.net Summer 2013 Not Blowing Smoke Local Coalition takes Aim at Tobacco Special to accessHealth News "Record your voice for your loved ones while you still can," advises Terrie Hall, a 52-yearold woman who lost her larynx to cancer, in a highly-televised anti-smoking ad produced by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). After decades of decline, smoking in the U.S. has leveled off to about 19 percent. Missouri's rate is much higher, at 25 percent of adults, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Lafayette County's rate is lower, but still high at 20 percent. The Lafayette County Prevention Coalition (LCPC) hopes to make all of the county's communities healthier by changing that statistic. There is a lot to do. "The state of Missouri received an 'F' in all four areas of the American Lung Association's (ALA) State of Tobacco Control 2013 report card," said Glenda Bertz, RN, assistant administrator of the Lafayette County Health Department and founding member of LCPC. "The areas ALA focused on were tobacco prevention, smoke-free air, cigarette tax and cessation. Missouri only spends 3.2 percent of the CDC's recommended level of spending for tobacco prevention. Although many communities have passed clean air policies, many workers and customers are still exposed to secondhand smoke daily. Missouri has the lowest cigarette tax in the nation, at 17 cents per pack." Many people don't realize that smoking can impact more than the smoker's health. "The public needs to be educated about the health dangers of secondhand smoke and their right to breathe smoke-free air in all workplaces and other indoor public places," Bertz said. Tobacco smoke contains at least 250 chemicals which are known to be toxic to humans, and the smoker isn't the only one who breathes them in. Anyone in the same building, home or car as a smoker breathes the smoke and suffers an increased risk of negative health effects. Constant exposure to secondhand smoke at home or in the workplace increases risk of lung disease by 25 percent and heart disease by 10 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute. "Enacting a local smoke-free indoor air law is the best way to protect people from secondhand smoke exposure," Bertz said. LCPC plans to gather support for smoke-free laws in Lafayette County communities, beginning with Odessa. In the United States, an estimated 46,000 nonsmokers die each year from heart disease caused by secondhand smoke. Three thousand more nonsmokers die from lung cancer every year. The Surgeon General said that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and that efforts put forth by most employers, such as limiting smokers to certain areas, cleaning the air or ventilating the building, cannot completely protect nonsmokers from exposure. Declaring and enforcing a smoke-free workplace is the only way to protect employees from secondhand smoke. "Smoke-free laws help protect employees as well as the community from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke," Bertz said. "Smoke-free public places encourage smokers to stop smoking and help reduce tobacco-related health care costs. Youth are less likely to start smoking if they live and work in a community with smoke-free environments." Tar Wars Poster Winners from Trinity Lutheran in Alma. From left to right: Bailee Varner - 3rd Place, Brianne Slusher - 2nd Place and Kaylee Hostetter - 1st Place LCPC is a registered Missouri Community Coalition through the Department of Mental Health, which allows First Call Alcohol/Drug Prevention and Recovery to offer assistance. Other groups assisting include Clean Air KC Coalition, the Kansas City Health Department's Tobacco Use Prevention Program Manager, the Department of Health and Senior Services, American Cancer Society and Tobacco Free Missouri. Odessa High's Students With a Goal (SWAG) will also join this effort. Bertz said they are looking for a diverse membership that represents all sectors of the community. To learn more about LCPC, to join or to find out about free smoking cessation classes, call 660.259.4371, ext. 229. After CDC's graphic ads began airing, 200,000 people have called its 1-800-QUIT-NOW hotline. "Nicotine in tobacco is as addictive as heroin or cocaine. It reaches your brain in seconds," Bertz said. "Once addicted, it's very hard to quit."

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