A CUP OF HEALTH WITH CDC
Step Away from the Cigarette
Great American Smokeout — November 19, 2009
Recorded: November 10, 2009; posted: November 12, 2009
[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC — safer, healthier people.
[Dr. Gaynes] Welcome to A Cup of Health with CDC, a weekly feature of the MMWR, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. I’m your host, Dr. Robert Gaynes.
For the thirty fourth straight year, the American Cancer Society will sponsor the 2009 Great American Smokeout on November 19. On this day, smokers throughout the United States are challenged to quit for at least a day or more.
Dr. Matthew McKenna is the director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health. He’s joining us today to discuss strategies for quitting smoking. Welcome to the show, Matt.
[Dr. McKenna] Thanks, Bob; it’s a pleasure being here.
[Dr. Gaynes] Matt, is the prevalence of smoking increasing or decreasing in the United States?
[Dr. McKenna] Well, overall, smoking rates have decreased over the last 10 years, but recently the decline has stalled and things are not changing quite as rapidly as we’d like to see.
[Dr. Gaynes] Is smoking more common in any particular group?
[Dr. McKenna] There are some large differences between groups in the United States. Men tend to smoke more than women, people with lower education and lower income tend to smoke at higher rates, and amongst racial and ethnic groups, American Indians and Alaska Natives have fairly high rates.
[Dr. Gaynes] Matt, what health problems are caused or made worse by smoking?
[Dr. McKenna] Well, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Toxins from cigarette smoke reach just about every cell in the body and can cause damage everywhere. Smoking causes cancer, cardiovascular disease, Asthma, pneumonia, the list goes on. Smoking also harms reproductive organs and can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, low birth weight, and it evens complicates diabetes greatly.
[Dr. Gaynes] How dangerous is second-hand smoke?
[Dr. McKenna] Well, we know that second-hand smoke is extremely dangerous. When a person is exposed to second-hand smoke, for even a short period of time, they can have a heart attack. Second-hand smoke is particularly bad for children. It increases middle ear infections, asthma attacks, pneumonia, bronchitis, and can even cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The other
thing is, over long periods of time and exposure, second-hand smoke can lead to lung cancer and other forms of heart disease.
[Dr. Gaynes] Have restrictions on smoking in public places had an impact on health or the prevalence of smoking?
[Dr. McKenna] Absolutely. Workplace smoking restrictions lead to reduced respiratory disease rates for smokers and non-smokers. And amongst employees who smoke before a ban goes into place, many of them stop. We also know that by de-normalizing tobacco use through the implementation of smoke-free policies, many kids don’t see others smoking and don’t even start. Smoke-free laws also have been shown to decrease heart attack risk in both smokers and non-smokers after a ban is put in place.
[Dr. Gaynes] Matt, what are some of the best strategies for smokers to quit?
[Dr. McKenna] Well, there are more effective treatments available than ever before. People who want to stop smoking, they need to just decide to stop and get help. Places to start for getting help are with their doctor to talk about whether counseling and medications might be helpful, but they can also call 1-800-QUIT-NOW and get professional counseling services.
[Dr. Gaynes] Where can listeners get more information about smoking cessation?
[Dr. McKenna] Well, as I indicated before, they can get counseling and even more free information about other resources at 1-800-QUIT-NOW and online information is available at www.cdc.gov/tobacco.
[Dr. Gaynes] Thanks, Matt. I’ve been talking today with CDC’s Dr. Matthew McKenna about ways to quit smoking.
Remember, quitting smoking is the most beneficial thing you can do for your health. And don’t forget the 2009 Great American Smokeout on November 19.
Until next time, be well. This is Dr. Robert Gaynes for A Cup of Health with CDC.
[Announcer] For the most accurate health information, visit www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO, 24/7.
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