May 31 2010 is World No Tobacco Day

While this year’s World Health Organization’s annual World No Tobacco Day is focusing its attention on how the tobacco companies are marketing tobacco products to women, officials say the majority of Arizona’s smokers are men.
In Arizona about 14% of women smoke compared to 18% of men according the Arizona Department of Health Services. Nationally, it’s about the same.
“It’s good to remind people of national recognition days like World No Tobacco Day,” said Arizona Smokers’ Helpline Director Stephen Michael. “It brings attention to the issue. And we actually do have more women that call the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline than men. However, we are focusing our marketing efforts toward men, specifically men in their 30s and 40s, as they are the majority of Arizona’s smokers.”
Beginning in May, the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline began airing new commercials in programming men watch, like sports and the news. The commercials have a direct and immediate call to action. “This approach is appealing to men,” Michael says. “It’s direct and to the point. No mushy stuff trying to get guys all emotional about quitting. It’s just when you are ready, here’s the number. Call!”
“Most people are unaware of the extent of marketing by tobacco companies” said Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau Chief for Tobacco and Chronic Disease Wayne Tormala. He said that in Arizona, tobacco companies spend about $40 marketing their products compared to every $1 of Arizona tobacco tax revenue spent to educate people about tobacco’s harmful effects and the free services available to help them quit.
The Arizona Smokers’ Helpline offers free quit coaching via toll-free telephone at
1-800-55-66-222 or online at www.ASHLine.org. When people call, they are also eligible to receive free nicotine replacement therapies (gum, patches, lozenges).