CDC Warns Against Use of E-Cigarettes
Posted April 9, 2015 05:55 am
TALLAHASSEE,
FL - Colon cancer, vision problems and myths about
vaping, or using e-cigarettes, are featured in the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new
Tips From Former Smokers campaign. CDC Senior
Medical Officer Dr. Tim McAfee says smoking-related
health damages beyond the heart and lungs are not
well-known, although scientifically proven.
He adds vaping is being aggressively marketed as a way
to help smokers quit, although the research so far shows
it doesn't help. In addition, he cites research showing
that reducing the amount of traditional smoking by using
e-cigs doesn't help, either.
"The 2010 Surgeon General's Report found fewer
cigarettes per day does not reduce cardiovascular
disease and the only way to stop the progression of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is to quit smoking
completely," says McAfee.
The anti-smoking campaign features television and radio
spots, online images and video and print components
bearing testimonials from former smokers dealing with
major health problems and directs smokers to call the
QuitLine (1-800-QUIT-NOW).
'Julia' is one of the former smokers in this year's
campaign. She details her life after colon cancer, which
she connects to more than 30 years of smoking, starting
as a teenager.
"It wasn't just about the physical pain and suffering I
endured, it was also the fear and sadness I saw in my
family that hurt almost more than the cancer itself,"
Julia says.
Other former smokers sharing their stories talk about
rectal cancer, lung cancer and age-related macular
degeneration.
Photos/graphics; links: added/updated by the Observer
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