Updated: 2/24/2020
Thursday, Nov. 18 marked the 35th Great American Smokeout, where thousands of people were encouraged to stop using tobacco for a day – or even plan to quit.
It’s Not Just Lung Cancer
The American Cancer Society reports that more than 80% of lung cancer cases result from smoking, and more people die from lung cancer than any other cancer. Approximately 46 million American adults smoke, which will cause nearly half to die prematurely.
Oral Cancer
What many people don’t realize, however, is that smoking can also lead to oral cancer, the death rate for which is higher than that of many other familiar cancers. Oral cancer is expected to cause more than 8,000 deaths this year, which is approximately one per hour, a rate which has not improved very much in the last several decades. By the end of 2010, the American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 35,000 Americans will have been diagnosed with oral cancer.
Those are not encouraging statistics. However, with events like the Great American Smokeout, people are becoming more and more aware of just how badly smoking damages your health.
Smokeout
The American Cancer Society started the initiative in 1977 to encourage smokers who want to quit and change the way society views tobacco use. The year before the first nationwide event, California succeeded in getting nearly one million people put down their cigarettes for the day. It has steadily grown over the years, now including parades, rallies, booths, local resources and quitting information throughout the nation.
Funding Decrease
An article at change.org entitled “Great American Smokeout Highlights Need for Tobacco Funding” alerts proponents to decreased funding in the future, however.
Although it’s marked by feel good events like rallies, parades, free “cold-turkey” sandwiches and ritualistic burials of cigarette packs, chances are this year might be a tough one for those looking to finally put down the pack.
That’s because money meant for tobacco prevention is dramatically disappearing. A new report released yesterday by a coalition of health organizations found that states are woefully under-financing their tobacco prevention and cessation programs. States cut funding to their lowest level since 1999, when they first started to receive funds from the master settlement agreement, a multi-state lawsuit brought against the tobacco industry.
Oral cancer can be devastating. If you don’t regularly see a dentist, the condition could get wildly out of control before you even notice it. Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of oral cancer, so even without as much funding, perhaps these beneficial organizations can continue to provide people with resources to help them quit.
I feel that hypnosis is a wonderful way to stop smoking. However, it only helps very few. Many people don’t believe it works and enter the process with this mind-set is not helpful. They feel if its not a sugar pill or something then it won’t work.
Also, I am such a supporter of the e-cigarette. I think it is one of the greatest inventions ever. Not only is it cheaper than smoking regular cigarettes but also so so much healthier. So many benefits.
Find out more here.
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Thats an interesting article hannah. I found the stat about the 8000 deaths per year to be interesting because that means that the total number of smokers at one time has not changed a lot even with people quitting and becoming old enough to smoke. but that would seem very strange due to how much money we spend on advertising to encourage people to stop smoking.
Or maybe the real problem is the fluoride in the water that is causing it all :-)