There's a dark cloud over Oklahoma--and it's our own smoke

The tragic events of September 11, 2001 galvanized our entire nation into action, and appropriately so. Closer to home, in Oklahoma the same number of lives are lost to the adverse health effects of tobacco each year. Fourteen thousand of our young people, under age 18, become addicted to tobacco products each year. One-third will die prematurely from tobacco-caused illness. While 48 states have seen their health improve during the decade of the 90s, Oklahoma's health status has actually declined. While not the only malady confronting our society, tobacco takes a disproportionate toll, paid in lost lives and economic impact. Meanwhile, tobacco companies spend more than $100 million annually promoting their product in Oklahoma, 50 percent more than before the state's lawsuit was filed. A two-pronged strategy that relies on policy and legislative changes as well as a comprehensive public health program that prevents and treats tobacco addiction is presented.