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Women and Tobacco
Continued from Page 3
from lung cancer, a disease primarily
caused by cigarette smoking. Clearly,
smoking-related disease among women
is a full blown epidemic."
Despite the devastating health
consequences uf smoking, according
to a 2D06 Center for Disease Control
(CDC) report an estimated 18.1% of
adult U.S. women ages 18 years or
older (slightly less that I of 5) are
current cigarette smokers. Df those,
almost 21% are between the ages of
18-24 years old. According to the 2DDI
Surgeon General's Report, "Women
and Smoking," smoking is the leading
known cause of preventable death and
disease among women. The report
states, "Exposure to secondhand smoke
is a cause of lung cancer and coronary
heart disease among women who are
lifetime nonsmokers." According to
the American Heart Association women
who smoke have an increased risk of
coronary heart disease compared to
nonsmoking women. Cigarette smoke
puts added strain on the heart because
it causes vessels to clamp down or
constrict. The 2DDI Surgeon General's
Report indicates that risks increase
with the number of cigarettes smoked
and the duration of smoking. Risks
are substantially reduced within one
or two years of smoking cessation.
This immediate benefit is followed by
a more gradual reduction in risk to
that among nonsmokers by ID-15 years
after cessation. The report makes its
overarching theme clear - smoking is a
woman's issue.
Infants born to women exposed to
secondhand smoke during pregnancy
have a small decrease in birth weight
and a slightly increased risk of
intrauterine growth delay. Mothers who
smoke early in pregnancy are more
likely to give birth to infants with heart
defects, according to a study funded
by the CDC. "Most people know that
smoking causes cancer, heart disease
and other major health problems", said
Margaret Honein, of the CDC. "The
indisputable fact is that women who
smoke during pregnancy put themselves
and their unborn babies at risk for
other health problems." Smoking during
pregnancy can cause a baby to be born
too early and have low birth weight.
Smoking during and after pregnancy is
one of the causes of Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS).
"The health effects of secondhand smoke
exposure are more pervasive than
we previously thought," said former
Surgeon General Richard Carmona. "The
scientific evidence is now indisputable:
secondhand smoke is not a mere
annoyance. It is a serious health hazard
that can lead to disease and premature
death in children and nonsmoking
adults."
A 2007 News B Observer article cited a
poll by researchers at UNC-Chapel fiill
which indicated that more than two-
thirds of North Carolina adults favor
a statewide ban on smoking in public
enclosed areas, such as restaurants,
stadiums and shopping centers. The
researchers stated that interest in
smoking bans has risen nationally and in
the state since the O.S. Surgeon General
declared in 20DG that secondhand
smoke causes thousands of premature
deaths each year and other serious
health problems.
A number of strategies are needed
to curb the epidemic of smoking and
smoking-related diseases among women
in the US. Increasing awareness of the
impact of smoking on women's health is
needed to protect not only women, but
their families as well. Advocating for
smoke-free businesses could potentially
decrease exposure to secondhand
smoke. Publicizing cessation resources
such as the North Carolina Tobacco Use
Quitline can strengthen one's chances
of quitting. DuitlineNC services are
available to all North Carolinians free
of charge to help those who are ready
to quit tobacco use. Trained Tobacco
Quit Coaches can help you devise a quit
plan and provide support to become
tobacco free. DuitlineNC is available by
calling the toll-free number at I-8D0-
QUIT-N0W(l-80D-784-8BG3).8:DDa.m
- midnight/7 days a week. DuitlineNC is
sponsored jointly by the North Carolina
Health and Wellness Trust Fund and the
Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch,
North Carolina Department of Health and
Human Services.
RefErences:
CentErs for Disease Contral and Prevention.
Smoking & Tobacco Use 2DDI Sorgeon General's
Report-Women and Smoking
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/
data_statistics/sgr/sgr_2DDI/ataglance.htm
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking
Early In Pregnancy Raises Risks of Heart Defects in
Newborns.
Available from:http://www.cdc.gov/media/
pressrEi/20D8/rD8D4D7.htm
Cougar Cry
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fact
Sheet Women and Tobacco (updated November
20DG). Health Effects and Mortality.
Available from;
http;//www.cdc.gov/tobacco/datajtatistics/
fact_sheets/populations/
women_tobacco.htm
American Heart Association. Smoking Is a Woman's
Single Biggest Risk Factor for Heart Attack.
Available from;
http;// www.americanheart.org/presenter.
jhtml?identiflBr=2779
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2DDG
Surgeon General's Report-The Health Consequences
of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke.
Available from;
http;//www.cdc.gav/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/
sgr_20QG
The News 5 Observer. Poll finds support for
smoking curbs. (June 8.2007)
Available from;
http;//wviw.tpep.unc.edu/news/donsp.pollfindss.jpg
North Carolina Tobacco Use Quitline (QuitlineNC)
Available from;
http;//viww.quitlinenc.com
NORTH CAROLINA TOBACCO USE QUITLINE
QuitlineNC.com
• Trained Tobacco Cessation
Coaches-English 8c Spanish
• Coaches can call back upon
request
• Toll-free number 1-800-QUIT-
NOW{ 1-800-784-8669)
• TTY 1-877-777-6534
• 8 A.M.-midnigh1/7 days a
week
1-800-QUIT-NOW
For all North Carolinians-
youth and adult
Health Wellness