Tobacco Cessation @ MSU-Northern

Tobacco Cessation @ MSU-NorthernCurrently many Montana colleges are working on strengthening their tobacco control policies, and a few have already had great success. For instance, Montana Tech in Butte, The University of Montana in Missoula, and UM-Tech in Helena have adopted 100% tobacco-free policies.

MSU-Northern is looking at strengthening the current tobacco control policy due to the overwhelming negative consequences of tobacco use.

  • Comprehensive Montana Clean Indoor Air Act went into effect October 1, 2009.
  • Every year, tobacco addiction costs Montana more than a half-billion dollars. This includes $277 million in excess medical costs and $305 million in lost productivity. (Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights)
  • In their efforts to addict our citizens to their products, the tobacco industry annually outspends Montana’s tobacco prevention efforts by nearly 4 to 1.
  • Tobacco kills twice as many individuals as alcohol abuse, motor vehicle accidents, suicide, homicide, illicit drug use, HIV/AIDS, and fires combined.
  • Montanans continue to struggle with tobacco addiction: 27% of adults under 24; 16% of adult + youth; 15% of boys; and 13% men chew or use other smokeless tobacco.
  • 46% of Montana American Indian adults smoke.
  • More Montanans die each year (1,400) from smoking than from any other PREVENTABLE cause.
  • Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of PREVENTABLE death in the U.S., killing more than 53,000 non-smoking adults alone annually. (Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights)
  • A study published in the British Medical Journal reaffirmed that there are virtually no health disparities between passive and active smoking. The risks of heart disease associated with secondhand smoke are twice that were previously thought and are virtually indistinguishable from those associated with active smoking. (Americans for Nonsmoker’s Rights)
  • 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are littered in the U.S each year, releasing toxic chemicals into the environment.
  • Cigarette butts take an average of 25 years to decompose. One tree is consumed for every 300 cigarettes produced.

Check out Mylastdip.com or call 1-800-QUIT NOW for a variety of resources.

Link: Montana Tobacco Quit Line   Link: MyLastDip.com