Philadelphia Department of Public Health Photo-Exhibit Depicts Tobacco’s Presence in City

Neighborhoods In recognition of World No Tobacco Day (May 31, 2012), the Philadelphia Department of Public Health today unveiled a photo-exhibit in the lobby of the Criminal Justice Center that depicts the challenges of tobacco use and addiction in the city and encourages smokers to quit.

The Criminal Justice Center is located at 1301 Filbert Street, and the exhibit in the building’s lobby is open to the public. “Smoking is the single leading preventable cause of death in our city,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Donald F. Schwarz. “This exhibit and World No Tobacco Day remind us that smoking is all too common in Philadelphia but that people can help themselves, their family, and their friends in quitting.” The exhibit consists of more than 30 photographs taken by Philadelphia youth and adults. The pictures are accompanied by quotes from participants explaining their reactions to how tobacco is sold, marketed, and used in their communities.

The Nutter Administration has launched a number of efforts to decrease smoking in the city, including: passing an executive order making all recreation centers, playgrounds, and pools 100% smoke-free; decreasing illegal sales to youth by 16% through merchant education, monitoring, and enforcement; and increasing use of the Quitline 10-fold through outreach to smokers, physicians, and health insurers. As a result of these efforts, the Clean Indoor Air Worker Protection Law, and an increase in the federal tax on cigarettes, the prevalence of adult smoking in Philadelphia decreased from 27% in 2008 to 25% in 2010. This means that there are 20,000 fewer smokers in Philadelphia and up to 10,000 fewer future deaths from tobacco-related illness. Nevertheless, tobacco use still leads to 2,400 deaths and over $700 million in productivity losses annually in the city. The World Health Organization declared every May 31st “World No Tobacco Day” to encourage smokers around the world to quit and to draw attention to tobacco use and its negative health consequences. The Department of Public Health worked with a team led by Dr. Carolyn Cannuscio at the University of Pennsylvania to develop the photo-exhibit.

It can also be seen online at: http://www.smokefreephilly.org/photovoices/.

For free help in quitting smoking, Philadelphians can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit www.smokefreephilly.org.

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