Rural Youngsters Smoke More Cigs

Tobacco addiction and exposure to secondhand smoke in rural America is highlighted in The American Lung Association’s latest health disparity report, “Cutting Tobacco’s Rural Roots: Tobacco Use in Rural Communities.” Tobacco use is higher among rural communities than in suburban and urban areas, and smokeless tobacco use is twice as common. According to the American Lung Association, rural youth are more likely to use tobacco and to start earlier than urban youth, perpetuating the cycle of tobacco addiction, death and disease. “Tobacco use is often more socially acceptable in rural areas, making it more likely that kids living in these communities will also start to use tobacco,” said Kim Davitt, manager of Montana Initiatives in a written statement. “Montana community leaders and residents need to take a stand against the culture of tobacco use as part of life and empower our future generations to have healthy, tobacco-free lives.” The American Lung Association states that the increased tobacco use is associated with lower education levels and lower incomes, which are both common in rural areas where there may be fewer opportunities for educational and economic advancement. The exposure to secondhand smoke also becomes higher, as rural communities are less likely to have smoke-free air laws in place; therefore, residents are less likely to refuse individuals from smoking in their homes or other indoor places. Some rural states have low tobacco taxes; however, raising tobacco prices is a proven strategy to reduce tobacco use. In Montana, the tobacco tax is $1.70, which is higher than the current 50-state average cigarette tax of $1.46 per pack, according to a statement provided by the American Lung Association. The American Lung Association in Montana is calling on government agencies, researchers, funding communities, health systems, insurers, community leaders and families to take steps forward in cutting tobacco’s rural roots. In Montana, 18.8 percent of the total adult population smokes, and 44.11 percent live in rural areas, according to the American Lung Association. The association offers several smoking cessation resources to help individuals quit smoking. Freedom From Smoking is a program that teaches the skills and techniques for adults to quit smoking. The program offers a group clinic, an online program and a self-help book. Not-On-Tobacco is a program geared to help 14- to 19-year-old smokers quit. The curriculum consists of 10, 50-minute sessions that are typically once a week for 10 weeks.