Tobacco Coalition’s work helps lower smoking prevalence
San Benito County’s tobacco education leaders should be
commended for some uplifting news released Dec. 20, a survey
placing the area as having one of the lowest per-capita smoking
rate for rural localities in California.
The California Tobacco Survey released last week
– it is conducted once per decade – detailed how San Benito
County had a 12.1 percent prevalence of smoking during 2008 when it
was administered. The number was down from 1999, when the rate was
15.9 percent here.
Tobacco Coalition’s work helps lower smoking prevalence
San Benito County’s tobacco education leaders should be commended for some uplifting news released Dec. 20, a survey placing the area as having one of the lowest per-capita smoking rate for rural localities in California.
The California Tobacco Survey released last week – it is conducted once per decade – detailed how San Benito County had a 12.1 percent prevalence of smoking during 2008 when it was administered. The number was down from 1999, when the rate was 15.9 percent here.
It is an encouraging sign and reflects the diligence of local health officials who have helped to get the message out that smoking is a leading cause of cancer and death.
San Benito County health officials in recent years have taken steps that include implementing an ordinance requiring local retailers to have a license for selling tobacco products, to prevent minors from buying the products. Health leaders and the Tobacco Education Coalition also worked to launch a voluntary smoke-free policy at the county migrant camps.
Both programs are worthwhile and do wonders in spreading the anti-smoking message. Every bit counts, as the recent survey showed. San Benito County performed quite well when compared with similar rural counties, while urban areas generally have lower smoking rates because there are many more prospects for peer pressures in bigger municipalities.
The rural Tehama County, for instance, had a rate of 22.8 percent. Even larger areas close to San Benito County, such as Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, had slightly more per-capita smoking rates.
It is a great accomplishment for local health officials – and the community. Still, they and others throughout the state and nation can do more, and must, considering the massive cost on livelihoods and society as a whole.
Some ideas are encouraging, such as raising the smoking tax that is relatively low in California and requiring licensed home daycare businesses to prohibit the practice, which astonishingly is not already the case. And they serve as a start toward eliminating the use of this killer for good.
