Surgeon General Vice Admiral Jerome M. Adams says Americans need to “get with the times” when it comes to?quitting smoking. He says modern quitting tools such as some web-based interventions and text message services are effective and available. Today Adams issued the first??in 30 years. It reviews and updates the latest research on Americans’ attempts to quit smoking, what works, and why it’s so important.
The report notes that while cigarette smoking among American adults is at an all-time low of 14%, it is still the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. About 34 million American adults smoke cigarettes.
The Surgeon General notes that nicotine addiction is now recognized as a chronic, relapsing condition, which is why using proven ways to quit smoking are so important. "We know more about the science of quitting than ever before. As a nation, we can and must do more to ensure that evidence-based cessation treatments are reaching the people that need them," said Adams in a statement.
If you smoke and are ready to quit, or know someone who is, see the American Cancer Society?Guide to Quitting Tobacco?or call us at?1-800-227-2345.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and?oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Published January 23, 2020 by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service Office of the Surgeon General, Rockville, MD.
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