Tobacco Documents Online

PATd21CK PASCULLI MAYOR Board of Health 916 Garden Street HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY 07030 Tel. 420-2365 June 13, 1990 :# j Ms. Janice Marshall New Jersey State Dept. of Health Division of Epidemiology and Disease Control Smoking Control Program CN 369 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0369 Dear Ms. Marshall, PATRICIA M. MITTEN. R N HEALTH XiiCIER This letter is in support of the New Jersey Dept. of Health who, in conjunction with the New Jersey Division of the American Cancer Society is applying to the National Cancer Institute to develop a program entitled ASSIST, a seven year project beginning in 1991 to lower cancer mortality and morbidity by reducing the prevalance of smoking. Cancer rates and other smoking related,diseases such as COPD and emphysema have always been high in Hudson County. Hudson County and Hoboken have historically included a large, Hispanic, lower socio-economic group. it is well known that smoking is more prevalant among poorer groups and among Hispanic males. Hence, this is a segment of Hoboken that becomes an ittmediate target for smoking cessation programs. Smoking is a primary, contributing factor in many types of cancer as well as circulatory and: other diseases, including.the effects of passive ''second hand smoke.' At the Hoboken Health Dept.,, our pre-screening interviews for cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes reveal that many older adults continue to smoke in spite of the adverse publicity and serious medical effects. Undoubtedly, they are very addicted•to nicotine. Other targQt groups are pregnant mothers, teenagers and young•adults who are influenced by peer pressure and the notion that smoking is 'cool'- An additional issue is chewing tobacco,. used predomonantly among malles. There is a substantial target group in Hoboken who need smokingt prevention and cessation programs_ Whereas smoking cessation attempts to: help smokers stop, smoking prevention attempts to-get the non smoker to to make a conscious decision and coxmitment not to begin smokino;. The Hoboken, Health Deptt. wouLd like to make a major effort to help iindividuals prevent or stop smoking. The Health Dept_needs professional assistance througK contacts. and liaisons: and we hope to obtain these through, the 'tobacco control coalitions' under the ASSIST program_ If staff can gain mot;e knowlledqe about methods• of prevention, the Health Dept. willl be able to reach further into the Hoboken community and perhaps begj.n, to:meet our

PATRICK PASCULU MAYOR Board of Health 916 Garden Street HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY 07030 PATRtC1A M. MITTEN. R.N. Tel. 420-2365 MEALrH,oFricaR -2- ideal. By obtaining funding for increased publicity - through posters, advertisements, fliers, presentations, counseling:and on-going groups, we can begin to raise awareness of this very addictive legal substance. Enough publicity can help to make smoking 'socially unacceptable' in much the same way as drugShave started to~lose their appeal. Our understanding is that the New Jersey Dept. of Health, the New Jersey Division of the American Cancer Society and state and local coalitions will carry out the terms of the contract. We strongly support the ASSIST project as we feel it will greatly benefit Hoboken. Not only will ASSIST contribute to a direct redUction of the incidence of tobacco related cancers, it will also contribute to the health of a generation of young people whoY through our efforts, will hopefully not be seduced by the illusionary glamour of smoking.