Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death, both statewide and nationally. In fact, tobacco use kills more people than HIV, alcohol, auto accidents, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and is linked to numerous diseases, including cancer (in all parts of the body), cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes mellitus, dental disease, eye disease, and liver cirrhosis, as well as low bone density, hip fractures, accidents, peptic ulcers, adverse reproductive outcomes, and childhood neurobehavioral disorders. Michigan currently ranks 41st among all states in the percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes. The Macomb County Health Department aims to decrease the percentage of Macomb County residents who use tobacco from 21.4% to 18% by 2021.

Tobacco use can be prevented through interventions at the individual, community, and environmental levels. Educating young people about the dangers of using tobacco, restricting minors' access to tobacco products, and mass media campaigns warning against tobacco use can prevent the initiation of tobacco use. Health communication campaigns and comprehensive tobacco control programs that aim to de-normalize smoking behavior in the community can reduce tobacco use in the community and increase cessation. Environmental interventions such as smoke-free policies and increased unit price of tobacco are also effective in reducing tobacco use and reducing exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

The Macomb County Health Department has identified behavioral health, specifically including tobacco use, as a priority in the 2017 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). You can read more about the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and corresponding CHIP on the Community Health Assessment resource page. The Macomb County Health Department aims to decrease the percentage of Macomb County residents who use tobacco from 21.4% to 18% by broadcasting awareness of health-related concerns associated with smoking and e-cigs, by promoting the health benefits of quitting, and through the implementation of an evidence-based smoking cessation program.

Macomb County Tobacco Prevention Coalition