Although smoking rates in the District are decreasing year over year, negative health consequences from tobacco addiction continue to disproportionately affect the District’s most vulnerable groups. States and the District, combined, have access to billions of dollars from tobacco taxes and tobacco industry legal settlements to help decrease smoking rates and prevent tobacco use. Smoking rates among the District’s most vulnerable show that it should renew its commitment to robust funding for smoking-prevention and smoking-cessation programs. More resources for smoking cessation have the potential to help thousands of residents quit. During this week, local groups partner to highlight the importance of quitting smoking and available resources and information to help DC residents quit for good.

Source: Washington Post September 23, 2016 20:03 UTC