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.
Although African Americans start smoking at older ages and smoke 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 residing in Clark County. Our mission is to raise awareness, increase education, promote quit resources and encourage our brothers and sisters to live a smoke-and-vape-free lifestyle. Because We Matter aims to eliminate tobacco use in our community and address this leading cause of preventable death.
Let’s quit dying from preventable tobacco-related illnesses. Let’s quit supporting an industry that targets us to become nicotine-addicted tobacco users. Let’s quit a behavior that our children may replicate. Let’s start on a journey to live smoke and vape-free. 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, illegal drugs, and fires 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 impacts fertility in men and women and damages the genetics of sperm and eggs, which can cause 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.
ENDS (vapes) 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.
