African Americans urged to seek freedom from tobacco-related diseases on Juneteenth
For immediate release
Media Contact:
Jason Melancon, TFL
504.301.9841 or jmelancon@lphi.org
Amy B. Ferguson, Keating Magee
504.299.7175 or amyf@keatingmagee.com
EMANCIPATION MEANS ALL KINDS OF FREEDOMS
African Americans urged to seek freedom from tobacco-related diseases on Juneteenth
DATELINE For African Americans, Juneteenth signals the final states emancipation of slaves in 1865. As a celebration of education, self-assessment and self-improvement, it is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the critical effects of tobacco use on Louisianas African American community. The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) urges all African Americans to make freedom from tobacco a personal goal.
African Americans suffer disproportionately from chronic, preventable diseases attributed to tobacco use, says Tom Houston, MD, TFLs director. We want everyone in our state to become more aware of this chronic, pervasive public health problem among African Americans in Louisiana. Reducing the toxic effects of tobacco use among Louisianas black population would be a great accomplishment for all of us. Tobacco companies, whose early successes were built on the backs of African slaves, now specifically target African Americans with glamorous images and community sponsorships as the white populations tobacco use declines.
The facts also support the urgent need for tobacco prevention specific to African Americans. African Americans have higher rates of smoking-related diseases. In fact, black men have a lung cancer death rate 50 percent higher than white men, and this is directly attributable to smoking, says Dr. Houston. Part of this may be due to higher rates of menthol cigarette use a product that is directly targeted to the African-American community. Menthol cigarette smokers tend to inhale more deeply, because of the anesthetic properties of the menthol, but mentholated cigarettes are higher in tar and nicotine than non-mentholated.
Unfortunately, these health issues affect those living with smokers or exposed to smoke at work or during leisure activities as well. Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States, among all ethnic groups.
In addition, one in every 10 African American women reports smoking during pregnancy, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy cause low birthweight, which places babies at risk for ongoing health problems, developmental delays and death before reaching age one. Secondhand smoke also increases the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, respiratory illnesses and asthma among infants and children.
TFL urges all Louisiana residents to reject the tobacco industrys targeting of our African American residents, says Dr. Houston. One of our primary goals is to reduce these disparities in the health of various parts of our population. Educating people about the toxic effects of tobacco use among African Americans and the significance of tobacco company tactics is one of the most effective ways to do this.
The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living provides statewide coordination of existing tobacco control initiatives, funds innovative community programming for tobacco control, and develops statewide media campaigns to help reduce the excessive burden of tobacco use on the states resources and improve Louisianas overall health and quality of life.
Tobacco Fact: Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, 69 of which cause cancer. The air in smoke-filled rooms contains 6 times more carbon monoxide than you would inhale standing in the middle of the busiest freeway during rush hour. Among those dangerous substances are formaldehyde, cyanide, arsenic, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, benzene, tar and radioactive polonium-210.