• 12/3/2004
  • Nikki V Katz
  • Womens Issues (womensissues.about.com)

Statistics on women smokers, the side-effects and a new campaign specifically targetting women.

According to the U.S. Surgeon’s General Report on Women and Smoking (issued in 03/01) and recent research studies, it has been found that:

-178,000 women die of tobacco-caused disease each year

-Since 1987, lung cancer has been the leading cancer-killer among women

-Since 1980, approximately 3 million U.S. women have died prematurely from smoking-related diseases, as well as cigarette-caused burns.

-Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and smoking accounts for 20% of deaths from heart disease

-Women suffer gender specific risks from tobacco, including harm to their reproductive organs and complications during pregnancy

-From 1991 to 1999, smoking increased 30% among high school girls

For many decades, tobacco companies have attempted to lure new female customers by associating smoking with a woman’s independence and sophistication. Advertising campaigns such as Virginia Slims’ “You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby” and the new “It’s A Woman Thing” have presented smoking as signs of freedom and individuality. In the 1970s, women were targeted with advertising for so-called “low tar” and “light” brands, with implied claims of reduced risk that the tobacco companies knew to be false.

Current Anti-Smoking Campaign:

In June, 2002, the American Legacy Foundation (the national, independent public health foundation established by the 1988 tobacco settlement) is releasing a print campaign in women’s magazines.

The women featured in this campaign are real women battling tobacco-related illnesses like emphysema, lung cancer and throat cancer. The ads show pictures of the women and letters they have written to their family and loved ones. Through their honest words, they remind us that tobacco-related diseases not only kill women, but also devastate those left behind in the wake of sadness and emptiness. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of the toll tobacco has taken upon women and encourage women to seek help to quit smoking.

In the first ad, Linda, a New York woman, writes three letters:

To my children – David, Diana, Michael,
We’re running out of tomorrows. I’m so proud of you!
I always loved you and always will.
Goodbye my darlings.
Mom

Dearest Jon,
I am so sorry my smoking will cheat us
out of 20 or 30 more years together. Remember
the fun we had every year at the lake. I will
ALWAYS love and treasure you.
Linda

To the TOBACCO Companies,
My name is Linda. I’m dying from emphysema
from smoking. We know you are in this for the
money. We are in it for our lives and the lives
of our loved ones. AND WE WILL WIN!

Previous Anti-Smoking Campaigns:

In December, 2001, The American Legacy Foundation launched a campaign targeting 426,000 women who smoke throughout their pregnancy. The ads asked the women to call a hot line managed by the American Cancer Society where they could receive help from trained counselors. 16 spouses of governors appeared in television ads in their home states to support the campaign.