In the year 2000, about 24 percent of men and 21 percent of women were current smokers¹. Many of today's adult smokers started to smoke before they fully understood the risks involved—in their teens or earlier. By now, however, most of us are aware of the health risks we face, especially if we continue to smoke.

Most of us know that smoking by parents has become a public health concern for a number of reasons. Smoking during pregnancy, for example, has been shown to increase the chances of having a low-birth-weight baby. Even the father's smoking may affect the unborn child. Also, children who live with smokers often end up with health problems that may last into adulthood, due to secondhand smoke.

The best way to keep children—before and after birth—from suffering because of someone else's smoking is for parents to stop smoking and to keep others from smoking around children. But many smokers find it isn't easy to quit. The reality is that most smoking parents continue to do so, no matter how great their concern for their child's health. The good news is that more and more parents are trying to limit the impact of their smoking by smoking outdoors, away from their children. Not smoking in the car has become a family rule for many Americans. Unfortunately, these practices don't remove the problem entirely.

Public concern about the costs and effects of smoking on both nonsmokers and smokers has led to indoor smoking laws in many States and the development of a number of tools to help smokers quit. Here is some information about tools you can use if you are thinking about or are ready to quit.

• Most States have toll-free telephone services that provide counseling and help smokers find local programs to help them quit smoking. Many States offer services in English and Spanish, as well as other languages. For pregnant smokers who want to quit, the American Legacy Foundation's Great Start program offers a Web site and toll-free quitline.
• Free or low-cost smoking cessation programs are offered by nonprofit organizations, such as the American Lung Association. You may even find that your health insurance program offers programs or covers the cost of these services. Local hospitals also frequently offer programs or can give you information about where to find programs.
• Government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)and the National Cancer Institute provide detailed information and Internet services for smokers who want to quit.
• Drug companies have developed prescription and over-the-counter aids to help smokers quit. Your doctor can recommend and prescribe a smoking cessation aid that meets your needs.
• Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can type a phrase such as "stop smoking" into one of the popular search engines (Google, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, etc.) to find many online tools and resources.

The bottom line: Parents who want to stop smoking can easily locate many kinds of information and assistance. Those who are not yet ready to quit can take steps to protect their families by smoking away from children as well as other family members.

¹National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, last referenced 08/21/03.

• Smokefree.gov's listing of Quit Smoking pamphlets and booklets
• Check Your Smoking I.Q.: An Important Quiz for Older Smokers
• !Rompa con el habito de fumar!/Kick the Smoking Habit (Spanish/English)
• Refresh Yourself! Stop Smoking (for African Americans)