A Statement From GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Regarding the Surgeon General's Report on Tobacco Smoke and Disease

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the U.S. Surgeon General issued a report highlighting that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke and that the only proven strategy for reducing tobacco-related disease and death is to have never smoked or to quit smoking immediately.  GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare supports the efforts of the U.S. Surgeon General to help inform smokers and their family members of the immediate impact that smoking has on a person's body and to demonstrate the addictive nature of cigarettes, calling attention to exactly why it is so difficult to quit smoking.

Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of disease and death in the United States, and the only proven way to reduce the health consequences caused by smoking is to stop using tobacco completely.  Therefore, it is imperative that we help the 46 million people that smoke in the United States to further understand the negative health consequences of smoking.  Exposure to tobacco smoke affects the smoker, their coworkers and members of their households, and we acknowledge our important role in supporting smokers in their efforts to quit.

Seventy percent of smokers want to quit, but success rates remain sub-optimal. And, research shows that smokers still harbor misperceptions about the effects of smoking and treatments designed to help them quit.  These misperceptions may prevent smokers from trying to quit and utilizing proven smoking cessation treatments that can significantly increase their chances of quitting successfully.  Most smokers still do not use treatment and behavioral support methods that have been proven to help improve a smoker's chances of success.

Accessing supportive resources like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to quit smoking is far safer than continuing to smoke.  In fact, there is overwhelming evidence that NRT products have safely and effectively helped millions of people around the world quit smoking.  NRT is a recommended first-line therapy for quitting and can play an important role in assisting smokers in this goal.  

Importantly, these treatments are available in flexible dosing options depending on the type of smoker and level of therapy needed, and are readily accessible for smokers at retail outlets across the country, so a smoker who wants to quit today can get started.  For more information about getting started with quitting, smokers in the United States can visit www.nicorette.com* or www.nicodermcq.com to learn how supportive tools can help.

*brand name is NiQuitin in the U.K. and Nicabate in Australia

SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

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