FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photo Opportunity
Contact:
Phone:
Date:
Smoking-Related Disease Is a Full-Blown Epidemic
Among Women in (town, city, or state name)
(Coalition name) will celebrate the anniversary of women’s
right to vote on August 26, Women’s Equality Day and put a human face on the
toll tobacco takes on women in (town, city, or state name). At (name
activity or event here), (name of featured speaker or group) will
call on the community to prevent and reduce smoking among girls and women at
(time) at (location address). “Tobacco advertising has linked
women’s liberation with smoking (e.g., "You've come a long way, baby") and connects
thinness with cigarettes,” said (coalition chairperson).
According to the 2004 Surgeon General’s Report on the Health Consequences
of Smoking, lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as a leading killer
of women. The 2004 and 2001 Reports conclude that the increased likelihood of
lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive health problems among
female smokers makes tobacco use a serious women's health issue.
"The millions of women who die prematurely from smoking aren't strangers,"
(local leader) said. "They are our mothers and grandmothers, our friends
and neighbors. Smoking cessation can save their lives."
Quitting results in immediate health benefits for both light and heavy smokers,
including improvements in breathing and circulation. The increased risk for
coronary heart disease and stroke is substantially reduced after 1 or 2 years
of not smoking.
When smokers quit, their lungs begin to heal and their risk of lung disease
drops. Smoking cessation also improves quality of life and physical functioning.
Research shows that counseling, self-help programs, and the use of
FDA-approved
medications are safe and effective ways to increase quitting. These methods
can double a person's chances of quitting for good. Success rates are best
when counseling and medications are used together.
As of 2006, the FDA has
approved the following medications as being safe and effective: five nicotine
replacement therapies (nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal sprays),
Zyban® (bupropion), and Chantix™ (varenicline tartrate).
"I think that it's important to emphasize that it's never too soon or too
late to quit smoking," (expert) said.
For more information, call (contact name and telephone number).
Page last reviewed 11/30/2007
Page last modified 11/30/2007
= Link to a PDF document
= Link to nonfederal Web site