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. Lung cancer is the second cause of cancer deaths among Hispanic American/Latina women (behind breast cancer). And the death rates for lung cancer in these women have increased every year. Among Hispanic American/Latino high school students, 31.5% of females smoke cigarettes. 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. Buena información para fumadores: Usted puede parar de fumar (Good Information for Smokers: You Can Quit Smoking) - Dejar de fumar es difícil. Muchas personas lo intentan varias veces antes de vencerlo para siempre. Este folleto explica distintas maneras para ayudarle dejar de fumar.

3. Cinco mitos comunes acerca de dejar de fumar (Five Common Myths About Quitting Smoking) - Esta hoja de datos dispa cinco mitos communes acerca de dejar de fumar. Saber la verdad le ayudará tener éxito con su plan para dejar de fumar.

4. Información Sobre el Cáncer de Pulmón (Copyright © American Lung Association) - Esta publicación ofrece información general sobre el cáncer del púlmon y tambien las razones del pórque hay que dejar de fumar.

5. Kick the Smoking Habit! - This pamphlet advises to quit smoking in order to help prevent cardiovascular diseases. It is written in an easy-to-read bilingual format with spanish and english text on facing pages. Este folleto, escrito con dos columnas, una en inglés y la otra en español (bilingüe), le aconseja dejar de fumar. Fumar el tabacco incrementa mucho el riesgo de desarrollar las enferemedades cardiovasculares.

6. Recomendaciones y apoyo de su médico de cuidados prenatales (Support and Advice From Your Prenatal Care Provider) - Esta publicación describe los beneficios para la madre y el bebe de dejar de fumar y recomendaciones para dejar de fumar. Toda la información está basada en investigación científica acerca de lo que le proporcionará la mejor posibilidad para dejar de fumar.

7. 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.

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

9. Usted Puede Dejar de Fumar: Guía del consumidor (You Can Quit Smoking: Consumer Guide) - Esta guía del consumidor contiene información, pautas, y recursos adicionales sobre dejar de fumar.

10. What You Need To Know About™ Lung Cancer - The diagnosis of lung cancer brings with it many questions and a need for clear, understandable answers. We hope this National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet will help. It provides information about some causes and ways to prevent lung cancer, and it describes the symptoms, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. Having this important information can make it easier for patients and their families to handle the challenges they face.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. You Can Quit Smoking: Consumer Guide - This popular Public Health Service brochure provides practical information and helpful tips for those who plan to quit smoking.

Organizations

1. American Cancer Society

2. American Heart Association

3. American Lung Association

4. Cancer.gov

5. Cancer.gov en Español

6. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS

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

8. Office of Minority Health, OPHS, OS, HHS