Tobacco use in Montana and in Sanders County

The 2014 Surgeon General’s report concluded that smoking affects nearly every organ of the body. A half century after the release of the first report, we continue to add to the long list of diseases caused by tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke, including:

• Age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, adverse health outcomes in cancer patients and survivors, tuberculosis, erectile dysfunction, orofacial clefts in infants, ectopic pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, and impaired immune function.

• Currently used by 19 pecent of Montana adults, 22 percent of Sanders County adults, 13 percent of Montana high school students, and 10 percent of Sanders County high school students.

Pertinent facts:

• 1,600 Montanans die each year from smoking. Every year Montanans pay more than $440 million in medical expenditures attributable to smoking.

• An estimated 34 percent of Montana Medicaid enrollees are current smokers.

• 16 percent of Montana women reported smoking during pregnancy.

Montana Quit Line:

• Over 86,000 Montanans have called the Quit Line since 2004.

• 31,000 callers have successfully quit tobacco; 49% success rate for clients completing all 5 coaching calls.

• Montana Quit Line has services for those enrolled in Montana Medicaid, as well as Medicare. It also has specialized programs for pregnant women and American Indians. To support quitting commercial tobacco, American Indian Quit Line, 1-855-372-0037.