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Be mindful of the dangers of smoking - With all the recent
newspaper headlines regarding increases in the abuse of the newer drugs
on the scene such as OxyContin and Ecstasy, it may not be that hard to lose
sight of the numerous dangers of tobacco. Tobacco is a "killer substance"
that has been and still remains a dangerous part of many people's lives.
The list of health dangers attributable to tobacco seems almost endless.
Perhaps at the top of tobacco's "death list" is lung disease. According to
the American Lung Association (ALA), "smoking-related diseases claim an
estimated 430,700 American lives each year", making lung disease
America's third largest killer. In addition to the large number of deaths
attributable to smoking, the ALA estimates that "more than 25 million
Americans are now living with chronic lung disease". The ALA further states
that smoking is "directly responsible for 87 percent of lung cancer cases",
and also "causes most cases of emphysema and chronic bronchitis".
In spite of fact that cigarette smoking may be the most preventable cause of
disease and premature death, young American's continue to "light-up" and
becoming addicted at alarming rates. Unfortunately, use of cigarettes by
teenagers adds an additional hazard. According to the National Clearing
House for Alcohol and Drug Information, "smoking is particularly dangerous
for teens because their bodies are still developing and changing and the
4000 chemicals (including 200 poisons) in cigarette smoke can adversely
affect this process".
However, even if you or family members don't smoke, it may be difficult to
avoid the dangers of being exposed to secondhand smoke. According to
the "NJBreathes" web-site, which is developed in conjunction with the
American Heart Association, secondhand smoke "causes heart disease,
cancer, sudden infant death syndrome, and numerous other illnesses and
health problems." Statistically, one-out-of-every-eight people who die
directly from a tobacco-related illness is a non-smoker. This converts to
approximately 50,000 Americans annually die from secondhand smoke
induced illnesses.
Armed with the knowledge of the hazards of secondhand smoke, State
governments are pressing forward with ordinances designed to protect
clean air. The State of New Jersey recently established all Public School
properties as "smoke free". Previous State regulations prohibited smoking
inside of Public School buildings. The new law expands the smoke free
zone to include all outside properties on school grounds.
The Roxbury Municipal Alliance Committee ("ROMAC") continues its
mission to educate and reduce the community's use of alcohol, tobacco,
and other drugs. ROMAC meets monthly at the Recreation Department on
Eyland Avenue and encourages the general public to participate.
All are welcome to attend ROMAC monthly meetings. For further information
regarding ROMAC activities or resources, call 448-2016 or 927-9555.
newspaper headlines regarding increases in the abuse of the newer drugs
on the scene such as OxyContin and Ecstasy, it may not be that hard to lose
sight of the numerous dangers of tobacco. Tobacco is a "killer substance"
that has been and still remains a dangerous part of many people's lives.
The list of health dangers attributable to tobacco seems almost endless.
Perhaps at the top of tobacco's "death list" is lung disease. According to
the American Lung Association (ALA), "smoking-related diseases claim an
estimated 430,700 American lives each year", making lung disease
America's third largest killer. In addition to the large number of deaths
attributable to smoking, the ALA estimates that "more than 25 million
Americans are now living with chronic lung disease". The ALA further states
that smoking is "directly responsible for 87 percent of lung cancer cases",
and also "causes most cases of emphysema and chronic bronchitis".
In spite of fact that cigarette smoking may be the most preventable cause of
disease and premature death, young American's continue to "light-up" and
becoming addicted at alarming rates. Unfortunately, use of cigarettes by
teenagers adds an additional hazard. According to the National Clearing
House for Alcohol and Drug Information, "smoking is particularly dangerous
for teens because their bodies are still developing and changing and the
4000 chemicals (including 200 poisons) in cigarette smoke can adversely
affect this process".
However, even if you or family members don't smoke, it may be difficult to
avoid the dangers of being exposed to secondhand smoke. According to
the "NJBreathes" web-site, which is developed in conjunction with the
American Heart Association, secondhand smoke "causes heart disease,
cancer, sudden infant death syndrome, and numerous other illnesses and
health problems." Statistically, one-out-of-every-eight people who die
directly from a tobacco-related illness is a non-smoker. This converts to
approximately 50,000 Americans annually die from secondhand smoke
induced illnesses.
Armed with the knowledge of the hazards of secondhand smoke, State
governments are pressing forward with ordinances designed to protect
clean air. The State of New Jersey recently established all Public School
properties as "smoke free". Previous State regulations prohibited smoking
inside of Public School buildings. The new law expands the smoke free
zone to include all outside properties on school grounds.
The Roxbury Municipal Alliance Committee ("ROMAC") continues its
mission to educate and reduce the community's use of alcohol, tobacco,
and other drugs. ROMAC meets monthly at the Recreation Department on
Eyland Avenue and encourages the general public to participate.
All are welcome to attend ROMAC monthly meetings. For further information
regarding ROMAC activities or resources, call 448-2016 or 927-9555.
| ROMAC Monthly Meetings Time: 8:00 a.m. Date: 3rd Thursday of each month Place: Recreation Building at 72 Eyland Avenue, Succasunna |
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| Questions about this website? - contact webmaster@ roxburyromac.org |