[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2446-E2447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNITION OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize today as the 
Great American Smokeout. For 31 years, the American Cancer Society has 
designated this day to help smokers quit for just 1 day, in hopes that 
they will quit forever.
  Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of premature 
death in the United States. Every year, more than 400,000 Americans die 
from smoking-related illness, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, 
and lung disease. One in every five deaths in the United States is 
smoking related. If current smoking trends continue, tobacco-related 
deaths worldwide are predicted to double to 10 million per year by 
2030.
  Secondhand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in 
children and adults who do not smoke. Secondhand smoke causes 
approximately 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 46,000 heart disease deaths 
in adult nonsmokers in the United States each year.
  According to the U.S. Surgeon General, people who quit smoking, 
regardless of age, live longer than people who continue to smoke. 
Quitting smoking substantially decreases the risk of lung and other 
cancers.
  Most smokers want to quit. Scientists have developed, and continue to 
improve, effective ways to help people quit smoking. However, these 
effective smoking cessation tools are not yet available to all smokers 
who are motivated to quit.
  For years, Congress has been largely silent on the issue of combating 
smoking. It is time for us to refocus on this issue. I have long been 
involved in efforts to combat smoking and its consequences, by 
introducing bills to prevent youth smoking and to support tobacco 
cessation programs.
  This year, we have an opportunity to act. Congressman Henry Waxman 
has introduced legislation, H.R. 1108, the ``Family Smoking Prevention 
and Tobacco Control Act,'' to protect the public health by providing 
the Food and Drug Administration with authority to regulate tobacco 
products. I hope we will take up this bill soon in the Energy and 
Commerce Committee, on which I serve.

[[Page E2447]]

  Please join me in celebrating the Great American Smokeout, and in 
commending those who make the commitment to quit smoking today.

                          ____________________