Smoking prevention relies on society's understanding of the dangers associated with smoking. It is not just about the smokers, it is also about those around them. An article on secondhand smoke on the Tobacco Facts website claims that just under 50,000 non-smokers die from coronary artery disease, lung cancer, and sudden infant death syndrome. These numbers point to the importance of smoking prevention, and according to the National Cancer Institute, studies show that smoking prevention policies can lead to a reduction in the number of smokers.
Price
Smokers across the country are already feeling the intentions of this prevention step in the weight of their wallets. Government is attempting to stop smoking by raising the cost to buy cigarettes through exise taxes and minimum-price laws. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that the cost increases ultimately lower the demand for cigarettes. State excise taxes vary from state to state, but as of 2009, Rhode Island has the highest state tax and South Carolina has the lowest state tax per pack of cigarettes.
Marketing
Marketing is an important aspect of smoking prevention. It is not only significant to market the reasons smoking should not be pursued, but also to limit or stop all advertising involved with the promotion of smoking. The British Medical Journal explains that committing to this will allow government officials a gateway to send a message of smoking intolerance and to establish a smoking prevention rhetoric.
Warnings
Every pack of cigarettes sold in the United States carries a warning issued by the Surgeon General. These warnings are meant as a form of prevention. On June 22, 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, or Tobacco Control Act, was signed into law. Due to this law, all cigarette packages must contain larger and more powerful statements on the label. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that these graphic warnings aid in smoking deterrence by making cigarettes less attractive to smokers.
Policies
Smoking policies, such as banning the use of smoking products in the workplace and public facilities, are meaningful to both smokers and non-smokers. There are economic worries that these policies could hurt businesses such as restaurants, but the British Medical Journal claims that current bans on smoking have not led to this kind of economic damage.
Education
Educating the public and youth remains one of the most useful tactics in promoting smoking prevention. Broadcasting the health problems associated with smoking and listing the devastating chemicals in cigarette smoke can prevent many from ever picking up a cigarette. This effort can also convince those who already smoke to quit, says the British Medical Journal.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: State Cigarette Minimum Price Laws---United States 2009
- National Cancer Institute: Study Shows Strong Tobacco Control Programs and Policies Can Lower Smoking Rates
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: New Tobacco Controls Have Public Health Impact
- British Medical Journal: Population Strategies to Prevent Smoking
- Secondhand Smoke: Tobacco, Smoking, and Cancer, Secondhand Smoke
