Tobacco.org

EDITORIAL: Coffin nails: State smoking worst  

Sadly, West Virginia has America's worst rate of deadly cigarette smoking and exposure to dangerous second-hand smoke inside homes. That's the finding of a Centers for Disease Control survey released last week. A CDC announcement said:

"Among states, smoking prevalence was highest in West Virginia (26.6 percent), Indiana (26.1 percent) and Kentucky (25.3 percent). ... Home exposure [to second-hand smoke] varied widely from 3 percent of adults exposed in their homes in Arizona to 10.1 and 10.6 percent, respectively, in Mississippi and West Virginia." . . .

Nicotine is as addictive as heroin. Tobacco companies are basically drug pushers, because their profits depend on getting young Americans hooked, then reaping revenue from them for years - with little concern for health damage they suffer.

Today, the American Cancer Society will hold its yearly Great American Smokeout, urging hooked people to overcome their craving for cigarettes. It isn't easy. Personal courage and willpower are required to fight off the deadly habit. But we urge West Virginia's excessive number of smokers to be brave and break free.

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