A hard-hitting offensive aimed at reducing the number of smokers across the country has been launched by US health officials.
The new campaign encourages smokers to kick the habit with a series of adverts spotlighting the wrenching personal stories of individuals battling smoking-related illnesses or diseases.
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"This campaign is saving lives and saving dollars by giving people the facts about smoking in an easy-to-understand way that encourages quitting," US Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Thursday.
A campaign run on similar lines last year proved effective, with the number of calls to helplines dedicated to people trying to quit smoking soaring following the adverts.
![Smoking among Women]( "Smoking among Women")
Tobacco use in women is on the rise. The health risks of tobacco are far too many has never done a woman any good psychologically or health-wise.
The number of calls to health services doubled to around 200,000 during the 2013 campaign, which cost $54 million and lasted 12 weeks.
Page views of a quit smoking website tied into the campaign increased five-fold compared to the same period in 2011.
Health officials say the campaign may have encouraged tens of thousands of people to quit smoking.
Nearly 70 percent of smokers in the United States say they want to stop, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which is running the campaign.
The adverts will blanket across television, radio, newspaper and other outlets, encouraging smokers to call a free hotline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) in order to access counseling services and information.
"Smoking and secondhand smoke kill -- and they also harm smokers and non-smokers," CDC Director Tom Frieden said.
"These are the kinds of ads that smokers tell us help motivate them to quit, saving lives and money."
Despite the proven dangers of tobacco, nearly one in five adults in the US smoke.
Approximately 90 percent of smokers take up the habit before they turn 18 and many suffer serious health problems while young.
More than 440,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related diseases, while for each death, approximately 20 people live with one or more illness caused by the habit.
Source: AFP
Smoking among Women
Tobacco use in women is on the rise. The health risks of tobacco are far too many has never done a woman any good psychologically or health-wise.
Advertisement
The number of calls to health services doubled to around 200,000 during the 2013 campaign, which cost $54 million and lasted 12 weeks.
Page views of a quit smoking website tied into the campaign increased five-fold compared to the same period in 2011.
Health officials say the campaign may have encouraged tens of thousands of people to quit smoking.
Nearly 70 percent of smokers in the United States say they want to stop, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which is running the campaign.
The adverts will blanket across television, radio, newspaper and other outlets, encouraging smokers to call a free hotline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) in order to access counseling services and information.
"Smoking and secondhand smoke kill -- and they also harm smokers and non-smokers," CDC Director Tom Frieden said.
"These are the kinds of ads that smokers tell us help motivate them to quit, saving lives and money."
Despite the proven dangers of tobacco, nearly one in five adults in the US smoke.
Approximately 90 percent of smokers take up the habit before they turn 18 and many suffer serious health problems while young.
More than 440,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related diseases, while for each death, approximately 20 people live with one or more illness caused by the habit.
Source: AFP
Quiz on Smoking
Approximately half the smokers die due to smoking -related diseases. But it is not just the smokers who are at the receiving end. The passive smokers too, often pay a heavy price. If you still have not 'kicked the butt', learn more horrifying facts about smoking by participating in the following quiz.
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 How to Quit SmokingTired of people asking you to stop smoking around them? Don't want to be ordered around by public smoking bans? Simple steps that help you to quit smoking. | Advertisement
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