The Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis Community Health Board (CHB)

 Assesses and addresses public health issues
 Advocates for a strong local public health system 
 Provides fiscal and programmatic administrative oversight
 Enhances collaborative efforts among member counties and
 community partners

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2012 Scheduled Community Health Board Meetings
1:00pm-3:00pm (unless otherwise noted)
404 W. Superior St., Duluth MN  55802 Room 290
(Subject to change)

February 13, 2012
April 16, 2012
June 18, 2012
August 13, 2012
October 15, 2012
December 17, 2012

Leaders Must Implement Policies to Reduce Tobacco Use

American Lung Association Responds to 30th Surgeon General’s Report

WASHINGTON, D.C., (December 9, 2010) — Today’s release of, “How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking Attributable Disease” by U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin focuses attention on tobacco use and its devastating effects, including the major finding that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. 

This 30^th Surgeon General’s Report should spur smokers to get help quitting and should provoke strong, decisive action by elected officials in Washington and across the country to implement policies proven to reduce tobacco use.  

“National and state leaders must heed this report as a call to action,” said American Lung Association President and CEO Charles D. Connor.  “For years, the American Lung Association has decried the lack of political will on the part of elected officials in implementing proven policies that will reduce tobacco use across this nation. Policymakers who fail to take action now are failing the American people, especially its children.” 

How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease confirms that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke and that smoke causes damage immediately to the cardiovascular system. Even low levels of tobacco exposure lead to disease and death, including heart attack, stroke, weakened immune system, and asthma attacks.

One significant finding is that the duration of smoking is critical to how lung disease develops. This is important for ‘casual’ or ‘social’ smokers to understand that even though they may be smoking fewer cigarettes, the longer they smoke, the more they are at risk for disease. Completely quitting tobacco use is the only way to avoid the health risks.     For additional information.... 

Northland counties among Minnesota's least healthy
By: John Lundy, Duluth News Tribune