June 17 marks Father’s Day, a time to celebrate and express appreciation for dads everywhere. As role models for their families and communities, let’s support dads who have quit smoking and encourage others to take the step to be smoke-free.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in four men in the United States smoke cigarettes. While many struggle with the addictive properties of nicotine, surveys indicate that more than 70% of smokers want to quit. Social support from family and friends helps smokers quit, so take some time today to support dads in your community who are smoke-free or working to be smoke-free.

As a community on Father’s Day, we thank dads who protect their children from secondhand smoke. While most people are aware smoking cessation benefits their own health, it also benefits the health of their family and the community. Secondhand smoke causes sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, and triggers more frequent and severe asthma attacks in children.

Dads can take the following steps to protect their family and community:

• Quit smoking. Children of parents who smoke are twice as likely to become smokers. There are multiple resources and tips to support you.
• Avoid secondhand smoke. Do not let people smoke around your children. Teach your family about the health risks of secondhand smoke so that they can protect themselves from the dangers.
• Work to make your community smoke-free. Communities across the country are working with local business owners, restaurants, and worksites to make these areas smoke-free. Find a Making Health Easier community near you to help!
• Support tobacco-free schools. Make sure day care centers and schools are tobacco-free. Tobacco-free campuses prohibit tobacco use or advertising on school property.

Want to know more?

Smoke-Free Father’s Day: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Smoke-FreeFathersDay/

Quit Smoking Resources: http://www.smokefree.gov/

Father’s Day ecard: http://www2c.cdc.gov/ecards/message/message.asp?cardid=560&cate...