Approximately three of every four African American smokers prefer menthol cigarettes. Among whites, approximately a quarter of smokers prefer menthol cigarettes. This is particularly dangerous because menthol facilitates absorption of harmful cigarette smoke constituents. ²

Of current African American adult smokers, more than 70% indicated that they want to quit smoking completely. ¹

African American smokers are more likely than white smokers to have quit for at least one day during the previous year (29.7% compared with 26.0%).² These statistics show that there is a greater willingness to quit in this minority population.

According to the 1998 Surgeon General’s Report, all culturally diverse populations are disproportionately impacted by tobacco use. Though those identified as African American may bear the greatest burden of all groups.

In 2000, about 6,000 African American women and 11,000 African American men died of lung cancer.  Cigarette smoking is overwhelmingly the most important cause of lung cancer. ³

In 2000, heart disease killed more than 77,000 African Americans;  40,000 African American women and 36,000 men.  Smoking is a major cause of heart disease. ³

What is Secondhand Smoke?

Second-hand smoke (SHS), also called “passive smoke” or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is the smoke that individuals breathe in when they are located in the same airspace as a person who is smoking.  SHS contains over 4,000 chemicals of which 43 are known carcinogens, or substances known to cause cancer.  SHS is a major indoor air pollutant. It can affect everyone whether at home, at work, at school, in restaurants, theaters, and bars. SHS is a proven health threat to the young and old, from all walks of life, in all areas of the country and the world.  It has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a “class A” or human carcinogen for which there is no safe level of exposure.

“Not in Mama’s Kitchen”, a widely acclaimed secondhand smoke program that recognizes the value of a mother’s influence in her immediate and extended family. The program empowers women of color to set “ No Smoking” policies in their homes and cars.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
3. American Legacy Foundation.

 

Take the Pledge As a mother I pledge my unique strength and dedication to making sure no one smokes in my home, my car, or anywhere around my children.    Name:  Date: 7/25/2008  Address  City  State  Zip  Phone