Southern Nevada Health District Celebrates World No Tobacco Day 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 31, 2005

(Las Vegas, Nev., – May 31, 2005) – The Southern Nevada Health District is marking World No Tobacco Day 2005 with a continued call for residents to adopt smoke-free lifestyles.

The percentage of Clark County adults who smoke cigarettes has declined in recent years. However, the smoking prevalence locally remains above the state and national averages. According to the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, roughly 27 percent of Clark County adults currently smoke tobacco products, compared to 25 percent statewide and 22 percent nationally. Programs to address the disparities in smoking by age, ethnicity, and educational levels are seen as key to the national effort to reduce the adult smoking rate to 12 percent by 2010.

The health district Office of Health Education and Promotion crea ted the Cero Humo (Zero Smoke) program in 2002 to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate messages to the local Hispanic community. In its first three years, the program has provided tobacco education, encouraged smoking cessation and advocated smoke-free environments to a segment of the local population traditionally underserved by tobacco control messaging. World No Tobacco Day was first held in 1988, and is observed annually on May 31 to call attention to the impact of tobacco use on public health.

World No Tobacco Day 2005 focuses on the prominent role health professionals play in tobacco control and education. For additional information, contact the health district tobacco control program at (702) 759-1270 or visit www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org.

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The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.