New Campaign Focuses on Youth Cigarette, Marijuana Smoking November 20, 2003
News Summary
Saying that American children are at risk for lung damage from smoking cigarettes and marijuana, the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association are launching a new campaign with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), according to a Nov. 19 press release from ONDCP.The anti-smoking message will focus on the dangers that cigarette and marijuana smoking pose to young lungs.
"Cigarettes and marijuana both put young people in danger," said John P. Walters, director of the ONDCP. "The American Cancer Society and American Lung Association have made great strides in increasing awareness of the health threat posed by tobacco smoke. We must build upon their success to help inoculate our children against the harms of marijuana."
The ONDCP website will feature information and resources for parents and children on how to prevent youth cigarette and marijuana use.
"Parents need to encourage a healthy and smoke-free lifestyle for their kids," said Dr. John R. Seffrin, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. "There is no such thing as safe inhalation of smoke. Damage is done with the first inhalation and gets worse with each puff taken."
John Kirkwood, president and chief executive officer of the American Lung Association, said marijuana smoke contains some of the same cancer-causing compounds as tobacco.
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