November 17 marks the American Cancer Society’s 36th annual Great American Smokeout. On this day, smokers are encouraged to quit tobacco use and ultimately take an important step toward a healthier life that can lead to reducing their cancer risk. But the best cure for addiction is prevention.
According to the North Dakota Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy (the Center), nearly 90 percent of adult smokers begin smoking while in their teens or earlier, and two-thirds become regular, daily smokers before they reach the age of 19.
“Events like the Great American Smokeout are helpful for those planning to quit smoking, but people must be educated about the risks of tobacco use so they never start,” Susan Kahler, community outreach coordinator with the Bismarck Burleigh Public Health Unit says. “Prevention is the only way to protect future generations from the hazards caused by tobacco use.”
One way Kahler is educating local youth about tobacco prevention is with the Bismarck Tobacco Prevention Youth Summit. In October, she organized the summit’s 6th annual event where students learned about tobacco prevention and then used their talents to share the message by developing public service announcements (PSAs).
“At this point, the students produced two PSAs and more are scheduled to be released later,” said Kahler. “I’m very proud of the work these students have done and they are excited to begin sharing their tobacco prevention messages with the public.”
The PSAs ready for public showing are entitled The Break Up, produced by St. Mary’s High School students and The Cost of Tobacco, produced by Century High School students. PSAs can be viewed at www.breathend.com.
The fight against tobacco is a winnable battle. Science and experience have identified proven, cost-effective strategies that prevent kids from using tobacco, help tobacco users quit, and protect everyone from secondhand smoke. To learn more contact Sue Kahler, community outreach coordinator at 701-355-1595 or go to www.breathend.com.