Public Health Strategies for Tobacco Prevention and Control
Commercial tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the U.S., disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. For decades, tobacco companies have strategically targeted youth, low-income communities, and racial and ethnic minorities, increasing access to and appeal of tobacco products. Social factors like poverty, discrimination, and adverse childhood experiences further contribute to […]
Quit Smoking For Better Health
Smoking is incredibly damaging to the body, leading to numerous health problems and significantly increasing the risk of premature death. Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States, claiming nearly half a million lives annually. The harmful chemicals in cigarettes damage the lungs, heart, and blood vessels, contributing […]
Smoking, Pregnancy, and Babies
Smoking is widely known to cause cancer and other severe health issues, and smoking during pregnancy can lead to serious complications such as premature birth, birth defects, or even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Exposure to cigarette smoke can also harm both the mother and baby. While quitting before pregnancy is ideal, stopping at any […]
Vision Loss, Blindness, and Smoking
Smoking harms your eyes just as much as it harms the rest of your body, increasing your risk of serious eye conditions that can lead to vision loss or blindness. Two major threats to your eyesight are macular degeneration and cataracts. Macular degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD), affects central vision, which is essential for […]
Asthma and Secondhand Smoke
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs, causing them to swell and narrow during an asthma attack, which makes breathing difficult. This swelling reduces the flow of air in and out of the lungs, and the cells in the airways may produce excess mucus—a thick, sticky substance—that further obstructs airflow […]
10 Sneaky Signs Stress Is Showing Up in Your Body
You’re probably familiar with the word stress, but you might not have heard of overstress. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines stress as the physical and emotional reactions to challenges or stressors. This can manifest as physical symptoms like a racing heart or emotional responses like irritability (more on that shortly). Stress is an unavoidable […]
The Earth is Not Disposable: Nicotine Vape Waste
The Environmental Toll of Vapes Vaping isn’t just harmful to health—it’s a hidden threat to the environment. Disposable vapes and e-cigarettes contribute to deforestation as their production requires extracting raw materials like lithium for batteries. These batteries, often improperly discarded, leach toxic chemicals into the soil and water, creating hazardous waste that can’t be thrown […]
Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults in the United States
Cigarette smoking among adults has decreased over recent decades. Most adult tobacco users continue to use combustible products, with cigarettes remaining the most widely used type. E-cigarettes are the second most commonly used tobacco product, and their use among adults rose between 2019 and 2022. Certain population groups favor specific types of tobacco products more […]
Commercial Tobacco Control Framework
Minnesota’s recent commercial tobacco prevention efforts, led by community advocates and local public health, have driven innovative policy, systems, and environmental changes centered on health equity. These efforts include local communities passing Tobacco 21 laws before federal and state legislation, policies prohibiting the sale of flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol, starting in 2017, and […]
Youth and Tobacco Use
Youth use of tobacco products in any form is dangerous and poses significant health risks, not just to the individual but to those around them as well. Preventing tobacco use among young people is essential to reducing overall rates of tobacco addiction, as the habit is often established during adolescence. In fact, nearly 9 out […]