Pennsylvania Department of Health Applauds New Federal Anti-Tobacco Law 

The Pennsylvania Department of Health today commended President Barack Obama for signing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which gives the Federal Drug Administration, or FDA, the authority to regulate tobacco.

"This is a great day for the health of all Americans," said Secretary of Health Everette James. . . .

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death. According to a recent study, approximately 20,000 Pennsylvania adults die annually from smoking-related causes and the health care costs associated with smoking-related illnesses are staggering. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, annual healthcare costs directly caused by smoking amount to $5.19 billion for Pennsylvania annually.

Currently, nearly 21 percent of adults in Pennsylvania smoke. In addition, 18 percent of Pennsylvania's high school students smoke, while 18,400 kids under the age of 18 become new, daily smokers in Pennsylvania every year.

The average smoker makes between five and eight quit attempts before being successful, and those who have support are more likely to succeed. For information about the state's cessation resources, call Pennsylvania's Free Quitline, available 24 hours a day, at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visit www.determinedtoquit.com. A Spanish-language version of the site is at www.estoydecidido.com.

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