By Michael Campbell
Michael Campbell (Photo by: Zi*Jomei Photography)
For 35 years, I’ve lived with tobacco. I read the warnings, I was aware of its negative effects on my health, and I knew it was the leading cause of lung cancer. I saw the commercials on television. I believed the truth about tobacco.
So you may ask, “If you knew all of that, why did you continue to smoke?”
The answer is; I didn’t choose to smoke. I am not a smoker.
I lived with tobacco as a child because members of my family smoked. I lived with in my teens because some of my friends thought it was cool to smoke. I lived with tobacco in my twenties because I spent my weekends at the smoky bars and restaurants, like most twenty-something’s do. I thought sitting in the “no smoking” section kept me safe from the harmful effects of tobacco.
It wasn’t until the summer of 2010 that I discovered the facts about tobacco. Wisconsin was going smoke-free July 5, 2010. I thought it was a great idea. I was looking forward to coming home without the smell of smoke on my skin and clothes. Little did I know, the benefits of a smoke-free Wisconsin extended far beyond not smelling like smoke.
I NOW know that tobacco companies disproportionately target minority communities with intense advertising and promotions to get them addicted to tobacco.
I NOW know that over a million African American youth are predicted to become regular smokers, and about 500,000 of them will die prematurely from a tobacco related disease.
I NOW know that tobacco companies are making fruit-flavored tobacco products that appeal to youth to make this prediction, a reality.
I am hopeful that Wisconsin will continue to invest in our comprehensive tobacco prevention and control program that focuses not only on cessation rates, but youth prevention efforts and public education and awareness campaigns.
Dollars spent on tobacco prevention and control efforts are a good investment, even in tough economic times. Considering that Wisconsin spends $2.8 billion annually to treat smoking-related diseases.
I NOW know that it is of critical importance that Wisconsin continues to support its tobacco prevention and control program. Otherwise, I would not have known what I know NOW about tobacco.
Michael Campbell
Project Manager
Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network