Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Smoking Rate No Longer Falling

Activists say White House is asleep at the switch

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 8, 2007 5:35 PM CST

(Newser) – After falling steadily for more than 40 years, smoking rates have steadied since 2004, according to CDC data released today. About 20% of Americans currently smoke, and experts are concerned. "Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable disease we have, and we need to bring down the rates as quickly as we possibly can," an epidemiologist tells the Washington Post.

Experts blame several factors for the trend. Tobacco companies have been spending billions to keep their products cheap and users hooked, and many anti-tobacco activists say the White House isn't paying sufficient attention to the issue. The administration has been "AWOL regarding tobacco control—doing little or nothing," says the head of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Packs of Camel cigarettes are shown at Charlie's Tobacco Outlet in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) (Associated Press)

Helen Heinlo smokes outside of a coffee shop in Belmont, Calif., Monday, June 11, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file) (Associated Press)

Marylin Sampsel smokes in the Candlelight Tavern in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007.(AP Photo/Don Ryan) (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Moderate Pot Use May Boost Lung Capacity

It's all that deep inhaling, suggests a study

(NEWSER) - A new study sure to warm the hearts of pot smokers: Puffing marijuana apparently doesn't hurt your lungs the way tobacco does, a quirk that probably has more to do with the way people smoke it than the pot itself, reports the Washington Post . In fact, pot smoking might even improve your lung capacity. Researchers measured it in 5,000 subjects over 20 years and saw improvements among moderate users of the drug. More»

Hospital Bans Employees With Smoky Clothes

Policy goes into effect next year

(NEWSER) - A Louisiana hospital is really serious about its no-smoking policy: Starting next July, employees will no longer be allowed to work if their clothing even smells like smoke. Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital is expanding a policy originally put in place only in the women's and children's areas two years ago, the AP reports. Employees will also, obviously, not be allowed to use tobacco products while on shift, even during breaks. The hospital will provide resources and support for employees who decide to quit smoking entirely. More»

Waking Up to a Cigarette Raises Cancer Risk

So try to hold off for at least an hour

(NEWSER) - You probably already know that smoking is bad for you, but a new study shows that smoking first thing in the morning is apparently even worse. Among the 7,610 smokers studied—62% of whom had lung cancer—those who lit up within 30 minutes of waking were 79% more likely to have developed lung cancer than smokers who held off for an hour or more after waking, reports the BBC. More»

Philip Morris Threatens Suit on Cigarette Packaging

Tobacco giant worried Australia's laws will hurt competition

(NEWSER) - Before the gross new cigarette packages arrive in the US, similar ones will arrive in Australia —and big tobacco is not happy. Philip Morris has threatened to sue the Australian government over its new packaging laws, slated to arrive in January 2012, which would introduce drab, olive-colored packages with no brand identification other than the name. The tobacco giant's legal claim would come under Australia's bilateral investment treaty with Hong Kong, and would ultimately be decided by the UN, Reuters reports. More»

Here Are the Gross Images Coming to Your Pack of Cigs

Feds hope damaged teeth, lungs will deter smokers

(NEWSER) - The new cigarette package labels are out, and they’re not pretty. Federal health officials today released the nine warning labels that will cover the top half of all cigarette packages manufactured after September 2012, and they include graphic photographs of damaged teeth and lungs and an autopsied body as well as simple warnings like, “Smoking can kill you.” The new labels mark the first major change to cigarette warning labels in more than 25 years, the New York Times reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Smoking Rate No Longer Falling

Activists say White House is asleep at the switch

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

smoking • tobacco

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Moderate Pot Use May Boost Lung Capacity

It's all that deep inhaling, suggests a study

Hospital Bans Employees With Smoky Clothes

Policy goes into effect next year

Waking Up to a Cigarette Raises Cancer Risk

So try to hold off for at least an hour

Philip Morris Threatens Suit on Cigarette Packaging

Tobacco giant worried Australia's laws will hurt competition

Here Are the Gross Images Coming to Your Pack of Cigs

Feds hope damaged teeth, lungs will deter smokers

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Smoking Rate No Longer Falling

Activists say White House is asleep at the switch

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

smoking • tobacco

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Moderate Pot Use May Boost Lung Capacity

It's all that deep inhaling, suggests a study

Hospital Bans Employees With Smoky Clothes

Policy goes into effect next year

Waking Up to a Cigarette Raises Cancer Risk

So try to hold off for at least an hour

Philip Morris Threatens Suit on Cigarette Packaging

Tobacco giant worried Australia's laws will hurt competition

Here Are the Gross Images Coming to Your Pack of Cigs

Feds hope damaged teeth, lungs will deter smokers

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?