World No Tobacco Day
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest global public health threats. In fact, about one person dies every six seconds due to tobacco, accounting for one in 10 adult deaths.
That’s why in 1987, the WHO created World No Tobacco Day, which is recognized each year on May 31. This day urges people to abstain from all forms of tobacco consumption for a 24-hour period. It’s also a call to ban all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship to help reduce tobacco use.
Leading The Way in Tobacco Cessation
Adventist HealthCare has a long history of leading the way in tobacco cessation efforts.
- In 1960, it was a pulmonary specialist at Washington Adventist Hospital, Dr. J. Wayne McFarland, who developed a ground-breaking program that helped people kick the habit in just five days.
- In 1974, Dr. Alfred Munzer, former president of Washington Adventist Hospital’s medical staff, began work to fight second hand smoke. Testifying before congress, his efforts led to the banning of smoking on airlines.
- More recently, Dr. Munzer was involved in an international effort with the WHO to set the stage for a global fight against smoking.
- On Nov. 15, 2007, the Washington Adventist Hospital became a tobacco free campus.
Stop Smoking Today!
You too can help in the effort to improve the health of our community and reduce the number of tobacco-related deaths. Choose to stop smoking today!
If you or a loved one is in need of support to quit smoking, the Tobacco Cessation Program at Washington Adventist Hospital is here to help. Counseling and medication can more than double the chance that a smoker trying to quit will succeed.
The Tobacco Cessation Program at Washington Adventist Hospital provides counseling and support to enable patients to quit smoking through nicotine replacement therapy and regular follow-up services. The program was recognized as a best practice in Maryland at the 2013 Maryland Million Hearts Symposium. The symposium brought together health-care and community leaders who support the national Million Hearts initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years.
For more information on Washington Hospital’s Tobacco Cessation Program, visit www.WashingtonAdventistHospital.com. For information on classes and support groups, visit www.AdventistHealthCare.com/calendar or call 800-542-5096.