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American Cancer Society delighted

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<font face="Calibri" size="5">To the Editor:</font>

<font face="Calibri" size="5">The American Cancer Society is delighted that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be requiring stronger warning labels on all cigarette packs and advertisements beginning in <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT157">September 2012</span>. We believe these large graphic images that vividly depict the dangers of tobacco use have the potential to encourage adults to quit and to deter children from starting in the first place.</font>

<font face="Calibri" size="5">Sadly, cigarettes kill people. Tobacco use is the leading cause of cancer in America, leading to pain and suffering that can be prevented. With <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT158">4,100</span> kids in the United States picking up their first cigarette every day, and the majority of adult smokers starting as youth, these new graphic warning labels will deter people from smoking. </font>

<font face="Calibri" size="5">The number of Illinois high school students who smoke daily has decreased from nearly 14 percent in 2007 to nearly 12 percent in 2009. Unfortunately this battle is far from over, since approximately 317,000 Illinois kids now alive will die from smoking as adults. The American Cancer Society is strongly committed to reducing youth tobacco rates, as well as helping those who want to quit smoking. We believe these new labels, along with an increased state cigarette tax in Illinois and the continued protection of Illinois' comprehensive smoke-free law, will help bring us closer to a world with less cancer and more birthdays.</font>

<font face="Calibri" size="5">Sincerely,</font>

<font face="Calibri" size="5">Jill Cash, APN</font>

<font face="Calibri" size="5">Vice President of the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division Southern Region</font>