With Pennsylvania's elected leaders debating the need for a smoking ban, yet another reason is emerging for the Keystone State to clear the air.
In addition to helping issues associated with secondhand smoke, a smoking ban would help smokers who want to quit the habit.
According to the Pennsylvania Medical Society, one of the greatest barriers to quitting is the presence of other people's smoke. To a non-smoker, smoke-filled rooms and areas are repulsive. But to a smoker, especially one who's trying to quit or who recently quit, it can be irresistible. In fact, every year 42 to 52 percent of current smokers attempt to quit.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society has long advocated for smoke-free environments, noting the benefits to all citizens. A recent poll of Pennsylvanians conducted by the Society's Institute for Good Medicine indicated strong support for a smoking ban in workplaces and other public locations.
“Our studies show that the majority of Pennsylvanians want to avoid tobacco smoke,” said Mark A. Piasio, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. “There are so many good reasons why Pennsylvania should join the growing ranks of smoke-free states.”
According to Dr. Piasio, a smoke-free environment:
- Appeals to those who don't smoke. The more clean air you experience, the less tolerant you are of smoky air – just ask a former smoker.
- Helps smokers smoke less
- Makes quitting and staying smoke-free easier
- Helps teens remain smoke-free
Witold Rybka MD, president of the Pennsylvania Society of Oncology & Hematology (PSOH) and a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, hopes that tobacco users will find it easier to quit as smoking is prohibited in more areas. “As smoke-free environments become the norm, the temptation won't be as available. Ultimately, we'll all be able to breathe better and live healthier.”
Whether it's passive or personal, smoking kills. More than 20,000 Pennsylvanians die each year of tobacco-related illness. Yet according to the Pennsylvania Medical Society, approximately one in four Pennsylvanians chooses to smoke in spite of the documented risks to their own health and to those around them.
Dr. Rybka says whether passive or personal, smoking is attributed to 85 percent of lung cancers. “The more you smoke or inhale secondhand smoke, the more cells are altered and the greater the risk of developing cancer.”
The consequences of smoking are far-reaching, from its broad economic impact (in 2005, $5.19 billion of Pennsylvania direct medical costs were related to smoking ) to its noticeable impact on the body.