Tobacco Stops With Me Launches New Campaigns on Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
Tobacco Stops With Me, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), is launching two new campaigns to educate Oklahomans on the deadly health impact of secondhand smoke, which kills more than 50,000 nonsmoking Americans each year.
The new campaigns, titled “It’s Like They’re Smoking” and “Balloons,” launch on September 19 and focus on the dangers of secondhand smoke to children and youth.
“The epidemic of death and disease caused by secondhand smoke makes it clear that protecting the public from its dangers must be an urgent priority,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “It’s critical that Oklahomans know the health risks associated with tobacco and secondhand smoke exposure, including nonsmokers. We hope this campaign inspires Oklahomans to take action to establish smokefree public places to provide protection for all people against the dangers of secondhand smoke.”
Studies show just 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke can cause heart damage similar to that of smoking. Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, more than 70 are known to cause cancer. Exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risks of lung cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease in nonsmokers by as much as 30%.
More than 200,000 kids in Oklahoma are exposed to secondhand smoke at home. Additionally, secondhand smoke causes the premature deaths of hundreds of infants each year. Young people who have never used tobacco are exposed to numerous carcinogens through secondhand smoke exposure in public places, cars and homes.
“Children are rarely able to advocate for change. Adults and policymakers must take the lead in protecting our children from toxic secondhand smoke,” Bisbee said. “At the same time, we encourage all Oklahomans who wish to quit tobacco to take advantage of the resources made available by TSET to begin their quit journey.”
In addition to protecting young people from the health risks of secondhand smoke, adult role models are influential in helping children learn and adopt healthy behaviors. Children of smokers are three times more likely to smoke.
Tobacco Stops With Me supports all Oklahomans trying to quit tobacco with free services from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. Quit Coaches are available 24/7 to assist Oklahomans in creating individual quit plans suited to their needs. Registrants may also receive free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges as additional support.
Since 2013, more than 470,000 Oklahomans have used the Helpline’s resources. If you are considering quitting tobacco, call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit OKHelpline.com for free, nonjudgmental support.
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Tobacco Stops With Me is a statewide campaign funded through the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust that provides an efficient, emotional and highly recognizable tobacco-free message for Oklahomans to rally around. By educating the public tobacco’s negative effects, the goal of Tobacco Stops With Me is to prevent and reduce tobacco use and improve every Oklahomans health and quality of life. Tobacco Stops With Me aims to inspire individuals to make positive changes—not only for their own health but for the health of the entire state as well. Free resources and more are available at StopsWithMe.com.
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health. To learn more, go to Oklahoma.gov/TSET.