Snuffing Out Secon dhand Smoke (NAPSA)—In a report last i June, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimated that while 70 percent of smokers want to quit, only 5 percent are successful each year. That leaves about 45 million people who still light up every day, and lighting up doesn’t just put smokersatrisk. U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona announced that no level of secondhand smokeis safe, and emphasized the need for continued education about the serious health risks posed by secondhand smoke. A new public service campaign may help. However, rather than using shocking images and alarming statistics to attract attention to the dangers of secondhand smoke, it uses humor. “Daddy’s gas could kill us all!” exclaims a younggirl in one of the public service spots developed for the American Legacy Foundation and the Ad Council. Entitled Dont Pass Gas, the campaign seeks to capture people’s attention about the potentially fatal dangers of secondhand smoke by using an unorthodox approach to inspire viewers to laugh and learn. The public service announcements (PSAs) include the talents of first-time commercial director and Emmy-nominated actor Jason Alexander. Through TV and radio PSAsas well as Web ads, the cam- paign will educate Americans— especially parents—about the dangers of secondhand smoke, and encourage them to create smoke-free environmentsfor their bh 1 2 2) Humor may help teach about the dangers of secondhand smoke. families and other loved ones, young and old. Audiences will remember Alexander as the character George Costanza from the popular TV show “Seinfeld.” In the U.S., one out of every five children who has a smoking parent is exposed to secondhand smoke at home. These children are at increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), lung infections, ear infections and severe asthma. “We're confident that our partnership with the Ad Council will attract the public’s attention and lead them to makepositive decisions for their families,” founda- tion President and CEO Cheryl Healton, Dr.P.H., said. “We recognize how powerfully addictive smoking is and how tough it is to quit. Many smokerslack the tools and resources to do so effectively. We encourage smokers to get the help they need to quit and provide programsto help them do so. This campaign asks smokers that are continuing to struggle with their addiction to please be mindful of protecting their families and other loved ones from the devastating effects of secondhand smoke and not smoke around other people— especially their children.” The two spots, “Dinner” and “Movie,” focus on family members or friends wanting to step away to “pass gas.” The audience learns that the “gas” being referenced is actually secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is a mixture of gases and extremely small solid materials; thus the irreverent play on words. Dont Pass Gas is the first national, multimedia campaign to address the issue of secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical substances, including several known human carcinogens. In 2004, Legacy released data showing that a small reduction in tobacco smoke exposure would spare thousands of children from serious health problems, including fewer low-birthweight babies, fewer cases of asthmaand fewerear infections. The best action parents can take to protect their families from secondhand smokeis to make their homes and cars smoke-free and to stop smoking around children. You can visit www.DontPass Gas.org for more information on the dangers of secondhand smoke and to find resources for your family. People can also phonethetollfree number (888) No-Pass-Gas to receive more information.
