DC State Board of Education Meeting

DC Tobacco Free Families has launched a 10 million dollar campaign to help DC residents quit smoking. The campaign is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Department of Health, and the American Lung Association of DC. All DC residents can receive FREE nicotine patches and lozenges to help them quit smoking, along with 24/7 counseling. According to the Tobacco Free Families: “DC has some of the highest rates of cancer and heart disease and mortality in the United States, and tobacco use continues to be the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the District.” Smoking has additional risks for people living with HIV. Smoking weakens the immune system. It can make it harder to fight off HIV-related infections. HIV associated malignancies, such as anal and cervical cancer, are observed more frequently among HIV/AIDS patients who smoke. Other cancers commonly associated with smoking such as lung, head, and neck, are observed more frequently among HIV-positive smokers compared with other smokers. Additionally, AIDS Dementia Complex is more common among HIV positive smokers than non-smokers.* For more information, call 1 800 QUIT-NOW or visit www.dctff.org.