Appendix A – Data Sources

On the other hand, quitting smoking reduces the risk for a heart attack after just one year; stroke risk can fall to about the same as a nonsmoker’s after two to five years; risks for cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder are cut in half after five years; and the risk for dying of lung cancer drops by half after 10 years. Although tobacco use has been declining across all demographics, it is still a major health issue, especially in Kentucky, a leading tobacco-producing state. Survey data showed that tobacco use was the sixth-ranked health risk identified by respondents as affecting the community (29.4 percent).

Reducing the number of smokers will also reduce second-hand smoke, which has been shown to cause smoking-related illnesses in people who do not smoke.

Baptist Health Paducah also has a smoking cessation program called Beat the Pack. It is a five-week smoking cessation program with peer support, information for self-help support, and medication therapy education provided by a pharmacist. Baptist Health Paducah provides this program free to anyone who enrolls.