Tobacco.org

• Fallin proclaims tobacco free week 

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has proclaimed Jan. 29 through Feb. 4 as Tobacco-Free Oklahoma Week - a week highlighting the price all Oklahomans pay for tobacco use, whether they smoke or not.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Oklahoma. It costs more than 6,000 Oklahomans their lives each year and causes untold heartbreak to thousands more family members. But the cost of tobacco use doesn't stop with the loss of life and grief. The financial burden from tobacco use falls on every Oklahoma business and citizen.

On average, Oklahoma businesses lose $4,400 each year for every employee that smokes. This economic loss is due to increased sick days and disability, higher medical and insurance costs, and shorter, less productive work-lives.

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