Did you know nearly 45,000 African Americans die each year from smoking-related illnesses? More African Americans also die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer.
Despite starting smoking at older ages and smoking fewer cigarettes per day than White Americans, the effects on our community are devastating. Why? Because in our neighborhoods:
Because We Matter is a smoking and vaping prevention initiative for African Americans in Clark County. Our mission is to raise awareness, provide education, offer quit resources, and promote a smoke-and-vape-free lifestyle. We aim to eliminate tobacco use in our community, addressing this leading cause of preventable death.
Let’s stop tobacco-related deaths. Let’s say no to an industry that wants us hooked on nicotine. Let’s break the cycle for our kids. Let’s choose a smoke and vape-free life. Why? BECAUSE WE MATTER!
Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in the body.
Every year, tobacco kills tens of thousands within the African American community. That’s more than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, homicide, suicide, and illegal drugs combined.
On average, non-smokers live 10 years longer than smokers.
Cigarette smoke contains more than 70 chemicals known to cause cancer.
Secondhand smoke causes more than 40,000 deaths in the U.S. every year.
Smoking affects the ability of both men and women to have children and harms the genetic material in sperm and eggs. This can lead to miscarriages, birth defects, and SIDS.
Hookah smoking exposes smokers and bystanders to nicotine, tar, heavy metals, and other toxins. It also increases the risk of mouth, throat, and stomach cancer.
Electronic vaping devices are not a safer option as most contain nicotine. The exhaled aerosols have harmful cancer-causing chemicals, and one liquid cartridge can equal 20 cigarettes.
Despite more attempts to quit, African Americans are less successful at quitting cigarettes than White and Hispanic people who smoke.
Tobacco use remains the single-largest preventable cause of death and disease in the United States.
Nearly 90% of all African American smokers use menthol cigarettes.
African Americans who smoke cigarettes are 2x as likely to have a stroke than those who do not use tobacco products.
