Healthy Communities of La Porte County Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health

Health-Communities-La-Porte-CountySaturday marked the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health and Healthy Communities of La Porte County is working diligently to help celebrate.

The first report by Dr. Luther Terry, laid the foundation for the tobacco control efforts in the United States,” Tobacco Coordinator Brandi Wright said.

Since that release 30 additional Surgeon General reports have increased our knowledge and understanding of the health and financial burdens caused by tobacco use. We now know that smoking causes cancer and other illnesses and is still the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.

As we approach the anniversary, the office of the Surgeon General will be working to increase the awareness of the progress that has been taking place during the last 50 years of tobacco control efforts. They want to engage the public health and wellness partners and establish partnerships with organizations new to our cause

In 2014 the Surgeon General will release a new report on Smoking and Health. This report will consist of three major topics covering the history and trends on tobacco over the last 50 years, new findings on health effects of smoking and how we can end the continuous tobacco use epidemic.

You can be a part of this 50th anniversary event by deciding to set a quit date and quit smoking and become a healthier you in 2014. If you are ready to quit call the free Indiana Quit Now program 1-800-Quit Now (1-800-784-8669). It is an evidence based free program with quit coaches to help you stop using nicotine products.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Brandi Wright BSRT, RRT, Tobacco Coordinator with Healthy Communities of La Porte County 219 -210- 3499

Healthy Communities of La Porte County empowers individuals and organizations in the common interest of public health. Our scope of community work includes health insurance coverage, tobacco cessation programs, public health interests, and literacy.