Should we be more proactive in promoting no-smoking?
My sister just quit smoking 9 weeks ago. She decided to quit for several reasons. One being it costs a lot of money, two, it is very unhealthy. That is why for this weeks journal I decided to read, " A Silence That Kills", by Lyndon Haviland, and was published in the American Journal of Public Health.
Haviland gives many statistics and reasons as to why tobacco and smoking are so bad for you. Many Americans are dying every day from the effects of tobacco and smoking. Haviland believes that the government is largly responsible for creating this epidemic, by not creating enough awareness and anti-smoking campaigns. Haviland argues that the public health community needs to put more thought and concern into the tragedy of tobacco use. In other words, we as a country must demand comprehensive action.
Haviland states that tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. When used correctly it is the most deadly substance for Americans. Haviland gives a prediction that in 2030, tobacco-related illnesses will claim 10 million deaths per year. Haviland questions, with those predictions why is the public still so silent? He argues that tobacco companies are marketing these deadly products and at the same time they are marketing anti-tobacco campaigns.
Haviland points out that lung cancer is the leading killer among men and women, and is the most deadly cancer, usually killing within a year of diagnosis. He states that even though the tobacco companies have debated the effects of tobacco, scientific evidence proves the many illness and diseases that are directly caused from tobacco exposure. Tobacco doesn't just target middle class Americans, but the poorest and least educated of America, people who don't have medical insurance to help them when they are sick. Haviland argues that something must be done to correct this injustice to Americans. We must fight back. ...