Anti-tobacco efforts applauded

On Jan. 11, 1964, Luther L. Terry, M.D., released the first report of the Surgeon General's Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health. This landmark document was America's first widely publicized official recognition that cigarette smoking is a cause of cancer and other serious diseases. The 1964 report served as a springboard for national and local legislative and public health initiatives over the past 40 years that have significantly reduced the number of deaths due to lung cancer, emphysema and other diseases linked to tobacco use.

The Coalition for a Tobacco Free Utah wishes to honor some of the progress made over the past 40 years. In 1964, 42.2 percent of adults in the United States smoked. Up until that time, the tobacco industry had full rein in advertising its products as glamorous, socially acceptable and even healthful. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent report reveals that 22.8 percent of adults are smokers. About 48 million American adults still smoke, but approximately 42 million more would have smoked without the tobacco control efforts that have developed and grown over the past 40 years.

Utah's own efforts have resulted in the state recently reporting it is one of only two states showing a linear decrease in smoking since 1996. With funds provided by the master tobacco settlement agreement, Utah has been able to create an infrastructure of state and local health departments and community organizations that has implemented successful prevention and cessation programs, including the Utah Tobacco Quit Line, Utah QuitNet, retailer education and compliance efforts, and school and community outreach. The Truth media campaign has effectively reached special targeted audiences with prevention and quitting information, including pregnant women, Native Americans, Hispanics, labor unions and college students.

Together we have made many great changes and prevented immense numbers of people from tobacco-related illness and death, but there is still more to be done. Tobacco use continues to kill 440,000 people per year in the United States, more than AIDS, automobile deaths, suicide, homicide, and drug and alcohol abuse combined. The tobacco industry continues to pour $90.8 million into Utah alone to market its deadly products.

The Coalition for a Tobacco Free Utah appreciates the Utah State Legislature's and the community's support of crucial anti-tobacco programs that are making a real difference in the state. These must continue in order to sustain the impressive progress made in Utah.

---

Kim Parker and Tug Gettling are co-chairmen for The Coalition for a Tobacco Free Utah.