Clearing the Air

If you don't think policy and excise taxes on cigarettes don't make a difference, I encourage you to check out an article recently published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

In recent years, the state of California has systematically imposed excise taxes on cigarettes, banned smoking in public places through clean indoor air laws and helped residents of the state to stop smoking. Meanwhile, Alabama has done very little as a state to address these issues. In this article, entitled "Why Are Women More Likely to Die from Lung Cancer in Alabama?," researchers found that for Caucasian women born since 1933 lung cancer death rates in California have dropped by more than half while in Alabama they have more than doubled.

The evidence of policy impact could not be clearer! While Birmingham has recently taken a stand to enforce clean indoor air laws and tighten regulations on smoking in public spaces, the entire state of Alabama must continue to advocate for stricter policies across the board. Otherwise, I fear that we will continue to pay the price.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

Birmingham Becomes Smoke-Free!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of addressing the Birmingham City Council regarding the Clear Indoor Air Ordinance and its importance to the health of the citizens in our city.

The City Council heard from many sides of the issue, but in the end concluded with a unanimous vote to pass the ordinance. The new ordinance is among the toughest in Alabama, with a longer list of locations where smoking is prohibited,  including hotels, bars, lounges and outdoor patios.

This was, I thought, an historic event for Birmingham, and I applaud the council for their thoughtful deliberation and courage in moving forward with this. Birmingham now becomes the largest city in Alabama to go "smoke free." Maybe this will be the stimulus for a statewide smoke-free law. Let's hope so.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

A Disturbing Trend

Today's edition of The Birmingham News features a story that highlights a disturbing trend among Alabama teens - the increasing use of smokeless tobacco products. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, about 19 percent of high school boys in Alabama use dip, chew or other such products. The national average among this same age group is 12 to 15 percent.

This statistic is extremely concerning for many reasons. One is that if someone becomes addicted to tobacco at a young age, he or she is more likely to become addicted for life. This greatly increases their cancer risk, as smokeless tobacco can lead to cancers of the throat, mouth, larynx and stomach.

Another cause for concern is the misinformation surrounding smokeless tobacco. While we have made great strides in educating people about the dangers of cigarettes - and decreased the number of smokers in the process - many people believe that smokeless tobacco is less addictive and less harmful than cigarettes. Reports, most recently one by the Surgeon General, have shown that this is definitely not the case.

With April being Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage you to educate yourself and your children about the dangers of both smokeless tobacco and cigarettes by visiting the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and UAB Medicine websites. And when it comes to these products, remember to just say NO.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

Recognizing a Global Threat

This past week, I traveled to New York City to attend a United Nations General Assembly meeting. More than 22 heads of state, including President Obama, were in the city as well. The security was incredible; police and barricades were everywhere, and I had to go through metal detectors and X-rays to enter my hotel. Having just recognized the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, it was obviously that the impact of that terrible day will obviously be felt for decades, if not centuries, to come.

But it was another threat to our society that was discussed at this U.N. meeting – non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which were recognized as a threat to global health. Each year, NCDs kill 36 million people worldwide. This new focus on the threat of NCDs, which include cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke, is critical to worldwide health.

The economic consequences of NCDs are staggering. Cumulative losses for low and middle income countries are estimated to surpass $7 trillion. Population-based measures such as reducing tobacco use through taxation and enacting clean indoor air laws, as well as reducing unhealthy eating and physical inactivity, could be delivered to these countries at a cost of about 40 cents per person per year. The same principles can be applied in the United States for about $3 per person per year. That’s a bargain if I ever saw one!

It is time for us to elevate prevention of these diseases to a new level. We owe it to ourselves to do so.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

The Smoke Is Clearing?

A report in the Journal of the American Medical Association that was released today has noted the significant decrease in the prevalence of heavy smokers (20 or more cigarettes a day) in the United States. Also noted was the substantial decrease in California compared to the rest of the country. As pointed out by the report's authors, one of the reasons for the greater decline in California is comprehensive tobacco control programs.

Smoking rates in Alabama remain some of the highest in the country. We have a tremendous opportunity to save lives in Alabama (there have been substantial declines in lung cancer deaths in California) by adopting a statewide clean indoor air bill and increasing state taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

It is amazing that a decade into the 21st century, Alabama continues to allow its citizens to die from an addictive product, when both clean indoor air and tax increases have been shown to substantially reduce consumption. Now is the time to get such legislation passed.

I encourage you to contact your legislator and urge them to act on this problem. And if you or someone you know needs help to quit smoking, please visit http://www.alabamaquitnow.com/.

-Ed Partridge, M.D.

Alabama Gets Four F’s Again – Let’s Do Something Now!

Yesterday, the American Lung Association released a report grading states on their anti-tobacco efforts, and once again, Alabama received straight F's. 

In fact, Alabama received four F’s. If Alabama was one of your children, you might be thinking about “a trip to the woodshed.” At least that’s what would have happened to me 40-50 years ago. The entire report can be found here.

It is absolutely unbelievable that we accept 7,500 tobacco-related deaths in Alabama each year.  A statewide clean indoor air act that includes work sites, restaurants and bars would reduce this death rate significantly. These laws substantially reduce smoking rates because smoking becomes logistically more difficult, while eliminating second-hand smoke for co-workers, customers and others.

Passage of such a law does not require new appropriations or an increase in taxes. It seems like a no-brainer. We must continue to educate our legislative bodies on the importance of this legislation and how clean indoor air, increased tobacco taxes and funding of smoking cessation programs save lives. The timing seems particularly ripe for at least a comprehensive clean indoor air law for the entire state.

Let’s do something now! Contact your congressional representatives and urge them to act now!

-Ed Partridge, M.D.