Making the next

generation tobacco free

By April Speck, Coordinator,

Clinton County Healthy Hometown Coalition

Source CDC.gov

Of all children alive today, 5.6 million will die prematurely from smoking if current smoking rates persist. That’s one in 13 children in this country. In Kentucky 119,000 0-17 years old will die prematurely.

Facts:

• 20 million people have died since 1964 from smoking-related illnesses

• Today, about half of all the children between ages three and 18 years in this country are exposed to cigarette smoke regularly, either at home or in places such as restaurants that still allow smoking.

• For decades the tobacco industry has been encouraging children to start smoking.

Images that make smoking appealing to children are still highly visible in our society.

They are found:

1. In movies and on TV

2. In video games

3. In retail advertising, including convenience stores

4. Online

• As a result of tobacco industry marketing and other influences, more than 3,200 children younger than the age of 18 smoke their first cigarette every day. Another 2,100 youth and young adults who are occasional smokers become daily smokers. Nearly nine out of 10 smokers start before the age of 18, and 98 percent start smoking by age 26. Every adult who dies early because of smoking is replaced by two new young smokers; if current risks hold, one of the two also will die early from smoking.

• Smokers today have a greater risk of developing lung cancer than they did in 1964, even though they smoke fewer cigarettes. Changes in the design and composition of cigarettes may contribute to this increase in risk. At least 70 of the chemicals and chemical compounds in cigarette smoke are known to cause cancer.

For more information contact Healthy Hometown Coordinator, April Speck at april.speck@clinton.kyschools

Healthy Hometown is working toward a “healthy” Clinton County.

Upcoming Healthy

Hometown Coalition Events:

AES Walking Buddies is going strong, but we still need CCHS students to be positive role models to our younger students. If you are interested, please go to AES Monday-Friday between 7:15 am-7:35 am. CCHS students will receive volunteer hours!