 "Smoking can cause numerous health problems, such as coronary heart
disease, lung cancer, respiratory diseases and premature death,"
Arnold said. "With the state's smoke-free law going into effect in
just seven weeks, there is no better time to quit smoking and enjoy
the health benefits of not smoking."The Smoke-free Illinois Act,
which was signed by Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich earlier this year, bans
smoking in workplaces and public places, including bars, restaurants
and recreation venues.
Nearly 20,000 Illinoisans die each year as a result of tobacco
use, and approximately 2,000 nonsmokers die from exposure to tobacco
smoke. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is
responsible for one of every five deaths in the United States. In
fact, cigarette smoking kills more Americans than HIV/AIDS, alcohol,
car accidents, murders, suicides, drugs and fires combined.
Smoking is also the single most important preventable cause of
illness and death in the United States. That's why the American
Cancer Society has sponsored the Great American Smokeout each year
since 1976 on the third Thursday in November to encourage smokers to
give up the habit for at least one day.
"Quite simply, there's never been a better time to quit, and
there have never been better resources, or reasons, to encourage
people to do so," said Dr. Clement Rose, president of the Illinois
Division of the American Cancer Society. "Nicotine is addictive.
Most smokers need inspiration and assistance to quit. The Great
American Smokeout is a great time to start."
For those trying to quit, the Illinois Department of Public
Health funds the Illinois QUITLINE, 1-866-QUIT-YES (1-866-784-8937),
to offer encouragement and support, help creating a clear plan on
how to quit, guidance on strategies, appropriate dosages for
nicotine replacement therapy, and advice on healthy habits.
The Great American Smokeout online site,
www.cancer.org/greatamericans, features desktop helpers,
including a "quit clock" and a "craving stopper." These tools can be
downloaded to a computer desktop to help smokers pick a quit day,
prepare for quitting and get support during and after quitting. In
addition, the site provides tips, tools and resources.
Some benefits and incentives to quit smoking include:
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After 15 years, the
risk of death for ex-smokers returns to nearly the level of
people who have never smoked.
-
Male smokers who
quit between ages 35 and 39 add an average of five years to
their lives; women can add three years. Even men and women who
quit between the ages of 65 and 69 add one year to life
expectancy.
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After 10 years, the
risk of lung cancer for ex-smokers drops to as much as half that
of those who continue to smoke. The risk continues to decline
the longer you stay smoke-free.
-
One year after
quitting, the excess rate of heart disease is reduced by half.
After 15 years of abstinence, the risk is similar to that of
people who have never smoked.
-
Five to 15 years
after quitting, the risk of stroke for ex-smokers returns to the
level of those who have never smoked.
Blagojevich has proclaimed Nov. 15 as Great American Smokeout Day
in Illinois.
Text of the governor's proclamation:
Whereas, nearly 20
percent of Illinois adults smoke cigarettes and are at risk of
tobacco-related diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke and
other serious and costly health problems; and
Whereas, more than
50 percent of Illinois adults who smoke cigarettes stopped smoking
for one day or longer in the previous year because they were trying
to quit smoking;
Whereas, more than
50 percent of Illinois adults are seriously considering stopping
smoking within the next six months;
Whereas, the 2006
Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A
Report of the Surgeon General determined that there is no safe level
of exposure to secondhand smoke;
Whereas, the
scientific evidence shows that secondhand smoke exposure causes
serious diseases including lung cancer, heart disease, and
respiratory illnesses including bronchitis and asthma;
Whereas, nationally
secondhand smoke exposure is estimated to kill more than 3,000 adult
nonsmokers from lung cancer, approximately 46,000 from coronary
heart disease, and an estimated 430 newborns from sudden infant
death syndrome;
Whereas, pregnant
women who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of
having low birth weight babies;
Whereas, more than
50 percent of Illinois adults believe that breathing the smoke from
other people's cigarettes is very harmful to one's health;
Whereas, the
Smoke-Free Illinois Act [PA 95-0017] becomes effective January 1,
2008 prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment;
Therefore, I, Rod
R. Blagojevich, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby
proclaim the third Thursday in November as proclaimed Great American
Smokeout day in Illinois and encourage all citizens to live healthy
lifestyles by choosing not to smoke cigarettes or use tobacco
products in order to achieve maximum health.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health news release received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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