Gordon Clay here. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
More people die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer. In 2006*, over 196 thousand people were diagnosed and over 158 thousand died from it.
In the US, about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% in women are due to smoking. Smokers are 10 to 20 times more likely to get lung cancer.
Ron Todd, the director of tobacco control for the American Cancer Society says "If states invest sufficient resources and implement comprehensive tobacco control programs, then fewer people will smoke and consequently fewer people will die of smoking related diseases. It's unfortunate that only a few states have allocated funds from the tobacco settlement that would support efforts on the same scale as those in California."
An increase in the cigarette tax has also shown to be a factor in the decrease of cigarette related deaths. I call it the real death tax. The Oregon tax is $1.18, the national average is $1.34, Washington State is $2.02 while little Rhode Island is at $3.46 and New York state is at $4.35
Oregon is one of 21 states that had an increase in lung cancer deaths. Of those, we rank sixth. Kentucky, Maine, DC, Arkansas and Oklahoma were the only states that had a larger increase. Washington and California were tied for the 8th largest decrease.
Next Thursday, November 18th, is the Great American Smokeout, a day for smokers to give up smoking to preserve their own health and, if you care about your loved ones, to stop for them. Think about it.
Addition to the broadcast: is smoking supposed to look sexy? Maybe before you take a puff. Check out over 200 celebs who smoke. http://bit.ly/d5ncj4