Cancer patients, survivors and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society's 49th annual Great American Smokeout by calling on elected officials across the state to do more to reduce tobacco use. The Great American Smokeout is a day for people who smoke or use any form of tobacco, including e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches, to create a plan to quit.
In New Jersey, tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of disease and death, and smoking is linked to at least 12 types of cancers, including lung, liver and colorectal cancers. Each year, more than 11,800 die from a smoking-related disease in New Jersey alone. Although these hazards are well established, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 9.1% of adults in New Jersey smoke, reflecting just how addictive these products are and how difficult it can be to quit once someone starts.
“The Great American Smokeout is not just an opportunity for people who use tobacco to set a plan to quit,” said Quinton Law, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey government relations director. “It’s also a clear wake-up call for lawmakers that it’s time for New Jersey to stand up to Big Tobacco and to stand with the workers and visitors in Atlantic City who are still forced to breathe dangerous secondhand smoke in our casinos. For too long, our state has allowed the tobacco industry to addict people to deadly, cancer-causing products and forced casino employees and patrons to inhale toxic smoke. It’s time to say, ‘enough is enough.’ Our residents and workers deserve better.”
Studies have shown that smoke-free laws and policies reduce smoking among workers and patrons and make it less likely for kids and young adults to start smoking.
“On this Great American Smokeout, we urge New Jersey lawmakers to support people who want to quit and protect everyone from secondhand smoke by finally closing the casino loophole in the Smoke-Free Air Act,” Law said. “As we approach the law’s 20th anniversary in January, now is the time to act. Passing this policy will reduce tobacco use and addiction across the state, ultimately saving lives and preventing needless suffering from tobacco-related diseases like cancer.”
Free resources on quitting tobacco can be found through the American Cancer Society’s cessation program, Empowered to Quit or at www.njquitline.org/.
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.