The Surgeon General released a new report yesterday on health disparities related to tobacco. The report states that, despite the nation’s progress in reducing cigarette smoking, progress has not been equal for all populations. Disparities in tobacco use “persist by race and ethnicity, income, education, sexual orientation and gender identity, occupation, geography, behavioral health status, and other factors.”

The release from the Surgeon General states: “Cigarette smoking is higher among American Indian and Alaska Native people than other racial and ethnic groups, and smoking among men and women living in poverty is more than twice as common compared to those not living in poverty. Smoking is also higher among adults with lower levels of education; people who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual; adults who work in manual labor and service jobs; people who reside in rural areas; adults who reside in the Midwest or South; and people living with a mental health condition or substance use disorder.”

The question is, why? Is it a result of tobacco companies marketing to these demographics? Is it due to flavored tobacco products? Is it a lack of education on health problems related to smoking? Is it inequitable access to health care? Or it is just a large group of people still trying to be cool? My guess is, despite all the studies and reports, the last one may be the most correct.

Keep in mind, this comment comes from a person who never smoked a cigarette… and for good reason. Both of my parents smoked like chimneys, and I inhaled more secondhand smoke as a child than some smokers do in a lifetime. I despised smoking. I still do.

Mom told me that, as a young adult woman, she made herself sick trying to learn how to smoke cigarettes, vomiting between puffs. She wanted to be cool. In her later years, she kicked the habit, or at least she only smoked in private. I was certainly thankful.

My father said he smoked since he was tall enough to put money by the cash register. Watching his own father suffer through radiation treatments as a result of emphysema didn’t even stop him from lighting up. Once Dad was diagnosed with cancer in his late 60s, though, he decided to quit. Unfortunately, it was too late. I don't know if Dad was ever worried about being cool, but I would guess he did want to be like the grown-ups, and all the ones he knew were smoking.

So, is smoking due to racism or sexism or some other “ism”? Please. Smoking is a choice, and so is not smoking. The reality is that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and I am convinced that even banning it won’t make it go away. Cigarette smoking somehow needs to be deemed “uncool” by those who are most inclined to do it before they ever start. Have thoughts on how to accomplish this? Send me a note and let me know.

And if you haven’t yet provided feedback on this newsletter at our survey, please do so here. It only takes two or three minutes.

Have a worthwhile Wednesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com 

JOE'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Door-knocking blues

By Joe Weeg

Knock, knock.

Hello, my name is Joe Weeg, and I’m here to encourage you to vote in the upcoming school board election.

Listen, I HATE door-knocking for candidates. Always have. I even hated it when my job was on the line with the many elections of Tom Miller for Attorney General and John Sarcone for Polk County Attorney. I hated door-knocking before many of you were even born. Heck, I even hate knock-knock jokes.

...

On the map
Landmarks add to the community’s character.

By Rachel Harrington

Interactive mural
Nothing seems to bring a community together better than a project that highlights the best that the community has to offer. The Adel Arts and Trails Committee was aware that Adel residents had long wanted, and asked for, a mural in the downtown area. Unfortunately, several obstacles would need to be overcome to make it a reality. With downtown buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, the committee knew it had to maintain the integrity of downtown Adel’s history. They would have to get creative with the “how” of a mural. Cost and future maintenance were other factors to consider.  ...

Happy Birthday Ashlee Herman!

These celebrities were born on this date: Ming-Na Wen, Joe Walsh, Bo Derek, Joel McHale, Dierks Bentle, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Michael Clifford, Jared Followill, Ashley Fink, Josh Turner

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to the last riddle: What did the head chef say when the rookie burned the dessert? Is that a crime brûlée? - Gail Tomlinson. OR, I said bundt cake not burned cake! - Rex Post.

Today's riddle: What do you get when it rains mashed potatoes and gravy?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Winterset Living magazines, contact:

Kristine McDonald
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 321
Mobile: C: 515-975-3543
kristine@iowalivingmagazines.com

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