Statement of Rolando A. Andrewn

Presidents and Chief Executive Officer

American Lung Association of DC

January 12, 2010

The American Lung Association of the District of Columbia continues to support the evidence that quitting smoking is the single most important way smokers can achieve overall wellness and avoid chronic illnesses. In response to a study released linking quitting smoking with Type II diabetes, several articles were published with misleading headlines linking smoking cessation to the development of Type II diabetes. The study conducted by researchers at Columbia University and the City College of New York in fact, linked weight gain and eating high-sugar foods with development of Type II diabetes.  Weight gain is a common occurrence following quitting smoking, but can be avoided through controlled diet and increased exercise.

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Stupidiota is a new media campaign of the DC Tobacco Free Families to empower bi-cultural youth to become ambassadors of tobacco free living. A powerful and fascinating creation of Communications-Marketing agency, Elevation, Stupidiota features two television PSAs inspired by popular video games The SIMS and World of War craft, a radio PSA with a catchy Reggaeton beat, and other guerilla marketing tools. The campaign equips youth with the tools they need to stay tobacco free and proclaim No Soy Stupidiota (I ain’t no Stupidiota). For more information on Stupidiota, click here.

DC Tobacco Free Families needs your help spreading the word to your friends and loved-ones about the free quit-smoking services we provide free of charge to DC residents by calling 800-QUIT-NOW. Click here to learn how you can help.

(HealthDay News) — Menthol cigarettes appear to be more addictive for black and Hispanic smokers than regular cigarettes, a U.S. study has found. Among adults who smoked menthol cigarettes, just 44 percent of blacks and 48 percent of Hispanics were able to kick the habit. But blacks and Hispanics who smoked regular cigarettes had higher quit rates — 62 percent and 61 percent, respectively. Those rates were similar to quit rates for white adults. Read More.

DC residents can receive free nicotine patches, lozenges, and counseling by calling the DC Quitline^®

Published in the Washington Informer newspaper, December 2009 – You’ve probably made this New Year’s Resolution many times—to be tobacco-free this coming year. Right now, there’s never been a better time to quit. District smokers are being offered free counseling, nicotine patches and lozenges, through DC’s 800 QUIT NOW program. The American Lung Association of DC, with funding from the DC Cancer Consortium and the DC Department of Health, is providing a unique opportunity to have free telephone counseling and one-on-one visit with a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, including obtaining free nicotine patches or lozenges, to give you the best opportunity to quit for good. Read More.