Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program
Each year more than 8,000 Kentuckians die of illnesses caused by tobacco use. Some die of lung cancer, while others fall victim to cardiovascular disease because of tobacco use. Annually, over $1.2 billion is spent in Medicaid and Medicare funds to treat Kentuckians for illnesses caused or made worse by their use of tobacco products. This equals $300 for each of the 4 million people living in Kentucky.
Kentucky Tobacco Prevalence Data
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Kentucky |
National* |
|
Current Adult Smoking 2006 |
28.5 |
20.9 |
|
Current High School Smoking 2006 |
24.5 |
23.0 |
|
Current Middle School Smoking 2006 |
12.0 |
N/A |
|
Smoking During Pregnancy 2004 |
26.7** |
10.7 |
To help combat the toll that tobacco takes on the health of Kentuckians, the state Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program has adopted the four Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) goals for reducing the negative health effects of tobacco use:
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Preventing the initiation of tobacco use among young people
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Promoting cessation among young people and adults
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Eliminating non-smokers exposure to environmental tobacco smoke
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Identifying and eliminating the disparities related to tobacco and its effects on different population groups
The program mission is to reduce preventable and premature deaths attributed to tobacco use by implementing programs to decrease tobacco use and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. This includes local and statewide programs encouraging youth not to use tobacco products and helping those who want to quit in doing so.
These goals are achieved through a community component based in local health departments. This draws on existing infrastructure and strong links between local groups concerned about reducing the health risks and illness associated with tobacco use.
Kentucky is one of 46 states to receive funds from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. With these funds and a grant from CDC, staff in the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) provides ongoing technical support and training for local health departments (LHD) as well as funding to help them achieve their specific area goals.
* http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0176.pdf
** Kentucky Vital Statistics Files; Live Birth Certicate Files, 1994 - 2003.
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