Remarks as prepared; not a transcript
Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H, FACS
United States Surgeon General
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Opening Keynote Remarks at Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
September 22, 2003
"Secondhand Smoke and Hispanic Families:
Smart Decisions Result in Better
Health"
Hola y bienvenidos. Thank you, Congressman Rodriguez, for that kind
introduction. (Representative Ciro Rodriguez of Texas)
And thank you for your consistent leadership in the area of Hispanic health.
I also want to thank the American Legacy Foundation for increasing Americans’
understanding of the terrible risks of smoking and all other forms of tobacco
use.
This is part of increasing health literacy in America and closing the gap
between what health professionals know and what Americans understand and do in
their daily lives.
As Surgeon General, it is my responsibility to ensure that Americans are
getting the best science-based information to make decisions about their health.
The Office of the Surgeon General has long played a key role in exposing the
risks of tobacco use. Nearly 40 years ago, Surgeon General Luther Terry issued
the groundbreaking "Report on Smoking and Health."
The need for change in how we viewed tobacco was fundamental to improving our
nation’s public health, and Dr. Terry knew that. What science had not yet
appreciated in1964 when the Surgeon General’s Report was issued was that
secondhand smoke is also a deadly byproduct of tobacco use.
Secondhand smoke poses a significant threat to all Americans, especially the
most vulnerable among us — our children. Exposure to tobacco smoke is associated
with childhood asthma and with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Today, more than 53,000 Americans die each year from being exposed to
secondhand smoke.
These are completely preventable deaths.
The good news is that our Hispanic families have taken that to heart … and
that will save many of us from the diseases that exact a tremendous financial
and health toll on Americans: including heart disease, cancer, pulmonary
disease, and stroke.
Let’s look at what we know about Hispanic Americans’ attitudes and, even more
important, their actions related to secondhand smoke:
- 86% of Hispanic adults report that no one is allowed to smoke in their
home, compared with 65% of non-Hispanic adults.
- 60% of Hispanic adults say they are very concerned about the impact of
cigarette smoke on those around them. This compares with only 31% of other
Americans.
This important new information from the American Legacy Foundation shows that
Hispanic Americans are taking the threat of secondhand smoke seriously and are
acting to reduce their exposure to it.
When it comes to making healthy choices to keep our families safe and
healthy, knowledge is power. The power to act … the power to make healthy
choices for our families.
This is good news for our Latino families and communities. It should be a
great source of pride for all of us. Let’s recognize that this is a success
story for the Hispanic community.
Unfortunately, in many communities the data are far less positive. Many
communities still need to gain control of the problem. For Latinos, we must
defend what we have achieved.
This means not allowing the next generation of Latinos to pick up the smoking
habit.
The reality is that most adults who smoke begin smoking before their 18th
birthday.
More than 4,000 American children age 17 and younger will try their first
cigarette today.
And smoking trends among Latino teenagers mirror the national average. In
middle school 9% of Latino youth smoke; by high school that percentage rises to
21%. That’s way too high.
Youth smoking rates are declining across all racial and ethnic groups. But
for Hispanic youth, the decline is happening more slowly than for others. If we
lose the battle for our teenagers, all the gains that we’ve reported today can
be lost. None of us wants that to happen.
In closing, let me ask you this: How many of you know a Hispanic teenager who
smokes? Or maybe who you suspect is a secret smoker? [Ask them to raise their
hands.] Okay then, your challenge is to mentor that teenager away from
smoking.
Be a positive role model. Don’t let that young Latino or Latina become like
the millions of Americans who started smoking before age 18 and just can’t seem
to quit the habit 2, 3, or 4 decades later.
Let’s all celebrate the good news that today’s Hispanic families understand
the dangers of secondhand smoke and are taking significant action to reduce
exposing their children to it.
But at the same time let’s be alert to the challenges that still exist and
work with health care professionals, our elected leaders, schools, communities,
and families to make sure that the next generation of Hispanic kids stays away
from the dangers of smoking.
With that, I just want to thank you all for your efforts to improve the
health and well-being of all Americans.
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Last revised: January 9, 2007
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