Percentage of Denver County Adults Who Smoke
21.1% African American
15.4% White, non-Hispanic
(Tobacco Attitudes and Behaviors Survey - TABS, 2005)

Each year, approximately 45,000 African-Americans die nationwide from preventable smoking-related diseases. In Colorado, African Americans have the highest rate of heart disease mortality, at 1.25 times the state average rate.

Tobacco is not viewed as a critical issue, but high blood pressure, stroke and cancer are viewed as critical. For the community to make tobacco use a critical issue, it must be linked with other health disparities. (Tobacco Disparities Strategic Plan Draft, November 2006)

What is the role of tobacco use in the community?
* relaxation
* image enhancement
* coping mechanism
* rite of passage
* personal choice or freedom
* social norms
* acculturation
(Tobacco Disparities Strategic Plan Draft, November 2006)

DATH Constituents
Brother Jeff
Diabetes group
Black Nurses Association

Tobacco Industry Targeting of African Americans

"The tobacco industry has been a significant sponsor of athletic, civil, cultural and entertainment events. Its donations and sponsorships of African-American events and organizations dates back to 1938, when William Reynolds, R.J.'s brother, donated money to institute the Kate Bitting Reynolds Hospital for Blacks in the segregated Winston-Salem, N.C., home of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company."
The Praxis Project. (August 2003). The Changing Face of Tobacco Control Fact Sheet. http://www.thepraxisproject.org/tools/Changing_Face_of_Tobacco_Control_Fact_Sheet.pdf.