According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately six million deaths per year are related to tobacco use, making it one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. Further, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of deaths contributed by tobacco use will only continue to rise to approximately eight million persons per year by 2030.

May 31 (today) is World No Tobacco Day, a day of awareness to the health risks of tobacco use. It was started in 1987 by the WHO, and this year’s focus is to “ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.”

The latest issue of Cardiology magazine talks about the impact smoking specifically on heart, which causes 40 percent of all cardiovascular disease. Although smoking remains a major problem globally, efforts have been made to lower smoking use in the U.S. The ACC and its state chapters have played a crucial role in these efforts through support of local and state-based smoking legislation. Currently, 24 states, in addition to Washington, DC, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, have laws set in place that require smoke-free workplaces, restaurants and bars.

On a global level, the ACC has played a pivotal role in the development of a plan for the global campaign to combat Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Tobacco use was included as part of the nine health targets recently decided upon, that are designed to combat NCDs worldwide. The ACC, in conjunction with the NCD Alliance (of which the ACC is a member), will continue a relentless pursuit of effective global action by moving its lobbying efforts to the country level.

Since education is at the center of the ACC’s mission to improve heart health, the College is tackling smoking head-on through its CardioSmart® initiative. The newly revamped ACC patient portal, CardioSmart.org, includes a “Stop Smoking” section providing resources to help patients quit, facts on the effects of smoking and links to other CardioSmart resources, like CardioSmartTXT. By texting QUIT – or DEJA for Spanish – to CARDIO (227346), users can receive text messages designed to help curb their smoking habits.

All in all, we continue to make great strides, but there is still much to be done about this growing epidemic. It is our professional responsibility to raise awareness of prevention strategies for this preventable cause of death, for the betterment of our patients.

Check out the latest issue of Cardiology magazine to learn more about the ACC’s efforts to curb smoking-related cardiovascular disease. Also check out an ACC infographic on the cost of lighting up.