Each year approximately 45,000 African Americans die from a preventable smoking-related disease; which represents over 10 percent of the estimated yearly smoking related deaths in the United States. African Americans disproportionately suffer from chronic and preventable disease compared to White Americans. And of the three major causes of death in African Americans - heart disease, cancer and stroke - smoking and other tobacco use are key contributors to these illnesses. More than 25 percent of African American youth are exposed to second-hand smoke in the home. In fact, 11 percent of African American middle school students and 17 percent of African American high school students smoke cigarettes
Nearly eighty percent of African-American smokers use mentholated cigarettes. Menthol, which masks the harshness of emissions and allows a bypassing of the body’s normal defense mechanisms for preventing exposure to detrimental substances, has also been indicated by some research to increase the retention of cancer-causing substances. African-American menthol smokers use fewer cigarettes per day but suffer disproportionately from their effects when compared to Caucasian smokers.
The West Virginia Tobacco Quit Line offers phone coaching and pharmacotheraphy options for those ready to quit tobacco use. For more information about services, watch the webinar below.
Please watch the webinar (8 mintues), fill out the survey (15 questions), and you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win $500 on July 15, 2011.
West Virginia African American Tobacco Prevention Network
307 Federal Street | Suite 305
Bluefield, WV 24701
Phone: 304-324-0456