Women who smoke put their health at risk. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and low birth weight. Smoking increases the risk for a lot of diseases, including cancer, heart attacks, oral diseases, and lung problems. In fact, lung cancer is the largest single cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. For years, men were at higher risk for lung cancer because of their higher smoking rates. However, with the rising number of women who smoke, lung cancer surpassed breast cancer in 1987 as the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Of the three leading causes of death in African Americans (heart disease, cancer, and stroke), smoking and other tobacco use are major contributors. If you smoke, try to quit. Within a few days of quitting, your health will begin to improve. There are many organizations to help you quit. Contact the American Cancer Society (1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org) for help.

Publications

1. A Breath of Fresh Air! Independence from Smoking - NWHIC created this page to help empower women and teens, and the people they love, to breathe clean! Gain independence from the stale world of smoking by using our information and resources. Learn about the specific effects of smoking on your health and how to quit effectively.

2. Pathways to Freedom: Winning the Fight Against Tobacco - This guide was developed to address the national concern over the high rates of smoking among the African American population. It offers proven strategies for anyone who wants to quit; how friends and family can help; and how the community and its leaders can promote the value of gaining freedom from tobacco.

3. Refresh Yourself! Stop Smoking - This booklet offers specific information on how to quit smoking and identifies steps to promote healthy lifestyles among African Americans.

4. Support and Advice From Your Prenatal Care Provider - This publication explains the benefits of quitting smoking for both mother and baby along with the key steps to quitting successfully. All information provided is based on scientific research about what will give you the best chances of quitting.

5. Surgeon General's Report on Women and Smoking: African American Women and Smoking - Fact Sheet - This publication discusses the prevalence of smoking among African American women and the health effects of smoking to these women.

6. What are the Benefits of Quitting Smoking? (Copyright © ALA) - This fact sheet explains how your health improves as soon as you stop smoking. It illustrates a timeline of health benefits that begin 30 minutes after smoking cessation and improve for years to follow.

7. Women and Smoking (Copyright © American Legacy Foundation) - The Women and Smoking campaign features real women battling very real tobacco-related illnesses like emphysema, lung cancer, and throat cancer. The web site presents their real parting letters to their family and loved ones that they have generously allowed us to view.

8. You Can Quit Smoking. Follow this 5-Day Countdown to Your Quit Day - This publication provides daily tips for smokers during the five days before their designated "Quit Day" to prepare them for success in quitting smoking. This also provides contacts for other resources that can help when smokers quit.

Organizations

1. American Cancer Society

2. American Heart Association

3. American Lung Association

4. Black Women's Health Online

5. CDC's WISEWOMAN™ - Well Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation

6. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center, NHLBI, NIH, HHS

7. National Tobacco Quitline, TCRB, NCI, NIH, HHS