By Dr. Sharon Baucom-Myers
Credit: Unsplash
May 31 is World No Tobacco Day, an annual observance to raise awareness about the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, death, and disability in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. spends over $225 billion annually on medical care to treat smoking-related diseases. And, as noted by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the tobacco industry has historically promoted the use of menthol cigarettes among African Americans.
The CDC reports that nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily usually begin this habit by age 18, and that flavorings like menthol make these products more appealing to youth.
The Baltimore County Department of Health offers resources to help deter tobacco use before it starts and to help smokers quit. Programs include Control, a virtual five-week quit smoking program; ASPIRE, a smoking prevention interactive experience; smoking cessation, nicotine replacement therapy and more.
All of these programs and resources are free.
Let World Tobacco Day be the day you break the habit! Let’s work together to extinguish smoking! For more information visit https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/health/health-services/substance-use/tobacco/, email tobacco@baltimorecountymd.gov or call (410) 887-0565.
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