Being an Advocate staff member, I’ve seen Evan pull some under-handed crap. But this time he’s gone too far when he condones smoking. He’s putting people’s health on the line.

According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 26.3 million men and 21.2 million women smoke. That’s 25.2 percent of adult men and 20.7 percent of adult women.

Despite the vast number of people that smoke, in developed nations, the smoking rate is decreasing. In a span of three decades, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s, the smoking rate in the United States was nearly cut in half.

Lung cancer is one of the more prominent fears that should concern smokers. Eighty-seven percent of lung cancer deaths are attributed to smoking.

Smoking is detrimental to young individuals if they are involved in athletic activities on a regular basis because of how it affects their performance and endurance.

Also, teens who smoke run the risk of hampering their rate of lung growth and their level of maximum lung function.

People who smoke cigarettes always talk about quitting or wanting to quit. Few, however, actually attempt it, and even fewer succeed. The American Cancer Society says that with a planned attempt to stop smoking cigarettes, the odds of success double. There is hope.

Thursday, Nov. 17, is the 29th annual Great American Smokeout, which the American Cancer Society fully supports in hopes that it will help people to quit. For one day, smokers are encouraged to give up cigarettes.

Some people will undoubtedly feel that this is asking too much and they’ll completely ignore Nov. 17. I strongly implore that people at least try to make that commitment for one day. Who knows, it could end up being more helpful than it seems.

As a child I was constantly told by my mom and dad not to smoke. I don’t think I can attribute my decision not to smoke to either of them though. My final decision that I never wanted to smoke habitually came from personal experience. Like most young kids are, I was intrigued by the idea of smoking. I don’t regret trying a cigarette because it really showed me that I wasn’t missing anything.

Initiative 901 was placed on the General Election ballot in Washington and was approved Nov. 8. The initiative improves on laws passed in 1985 and 1993. It prohibits smoking in buildings and vehicles open to the public, as well as all work places and 25 feet around buildings unless otherwise approved by the director of the local health department.

The initiative also repeals current laws that allow for an entire restaurant, bar, tavern, bowling alley, skating rink or tobacco shop to be designated as a smoking area.
People in Washington will be more protected from second-hand smoke, which can be potentially dangerous.

For more information on Initiative 901, go to http://www.secstate.wa.gov. For more information on the negative affects of smoking or how to kick the habit, go to the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org.