Tobacco prevention campaign from CDC brought into Southwest Georgia

ALBANY — A campaign involving former smokers who are continuing to discourage others from smoking has now established a presence in Southwest Georgia.

Public health officials say smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, killing more than 480,000 Americans each year. Because of the impact tobacco use has on health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2012 launched the first-ever paid national tobacco education campaign, “Tips From Former Smokers.”

The campaign is now running in the Southwest Public Health District, officials with the health district say.

“The only proven strategy to protect yourself and the others around you from harm caused by smoking is to never smoke,” Ebonee Kirkwood, a Southwest Public Health District specialist in epidemiology and health promotions, said, “and if you do smoke or use tobacco products, to quit.”

Officials say the “Tips” campaign features stories of former smokers living with smoking-related diseases and disabilities and the toll smoking-related illnesses have taken on them.

“The campaign also features nonsmokers who have experienced life-threatening episodes as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke,” Kirkwood said.

The campaign ads are designed to focus on health issues including cancer, stroke, asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, preterm birth in expectant mothers who smoke, vision loss, Buerger’s disease and gum disease. It also talks about smoking and HIV and the use of both cigarettes and at least one other type of tobacco product, public health officials say.

Kirkwood emphasized that it is important to recognize that smoking causes immediate damage to the smoker’s body. “Further, the damage can lead to long-term effects,” she said.

“A second point is that for every smoking-related death, at least 30 Americans live with a smoking-related illness,” she added. “Finally, now is the time to quit smoking. If you want help, free assistance is available.”

For assistance in quitting, individuals can contact 1-800-QUIT-NOW or www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/index.html

“The deaths, disabilities, lost productivity and suffering caused by tobacco use is preventable,” Kirkwood said. “A Quit Guide is available with information about coping with cravings, learning about medications that can help, telling you what to do if you slip, and more. Make this the day you free yourself from tobacco.”