Omidi Brothers Julian and Michael are focused on providing assistance in the effort to make America smoke-free. For this reason, Civic Duty is proud to support the Foundation for a Smokefree America.
According to the CDC, 440,000 deaths in the United States annually are associated with the effects of cigarette smoking (roughly 1 out of every 5 deaths in America). Smoking is connected to negative health effects in every organ of the body and results in numerous risks of stroke, lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and emphysema among others.
As of 2011, the prevalence of smoking in adults was 11% higher among those living below the poverty level than those living at or above poverty (29% vs. 17.9%), possibly suggesting that several factors including tobacco education, access to smoking cessation products, and environmental aspects need to be affected in impoverished areas to help decrease smoking rates.
Nationwide tobacco use has decreased, but more can be done in the goal to provide our children with a smoke-free nation. This is the goal of Patrick Reynolds and the Foundation for a Smokefree America. As the grandson of R.J. Reynolds, founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Patrick Reynolds watched as the family business claimed the lives of his father and brother as a result of cigarette-induced lung cancer and emphysema and has spent the last 24 years speaking out against the dangers of smoking through the Foundation for a Smokefree America. From tobacco prevention literature and video materials that are used in thousands of schools across the country to being named by C. Everett Koop as one of the nation’s most influential advocates for a United States free of smoking, Patrick has done much to further this amazing goal.
My brother Michael and I are proud to have the opportunity to support this amazing organization through Civic Duty and look forward to continuing to work closely in order to help make America smoke free.
To learn more about the partnership between Civic Duty and the Foundation for a Smokefree America click here.
