DCTF Conference

On September 15th, 2009 DC Tobacco Free Families is hosting the

“HOPE” Help Our Progress Endure Conference.

The conference takes place from 8:30am to 5:00pm at the United Medical Center.

Workshop opportunities include: Improving Health Outcomes in HIV Positive Smokers Through Policy, Programs and Media Initiatives and Creating Effective Anti Smoking Messaging for the LGBT Community in DC

Location: 1310 Southeren Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20003

Register at http://www.dctff.info/dctf-conference/

Contact Pheobe Robinson at probinson@aladc.org or Charles Debnam at cdebnam@aladc.org or via phone at (202) 546-5864

HIV and Tobacco Use Focus Group: Earn $25

The DC Tobacco Free Families Campaign, in partnership with the American Lung Association of DC, American Cancer Society, and DC Department of Health will be conducting a series of focus groups to gather the opinions of DC smokers who are also HIV positive.

DC Tobacco Free Families is currently seeking volunteers to participate in one of four focus group. To be eligible, focus group participants must:

• Be a current or past smoker
• Be a resident of the District of Columbia
• Be HIV positive

Focus group participants will receive $25 to complete one 2-hour session. Snacks will be provided.

Focus Groups will take place at the American Lung Association of DC, 530 7th Street, SE (Located 1 1/2 blocks away from Eastern Market Metro)

• May 6th for Women
• May 7th for men
• May 12th & 13th for men and women
• 6:15-8:30 PM.

If you would like to be a part of one of the four focus groups contact Colleen Dermody at 202 887-0500 ext 18 or e-mail hivtobaccouse@witeckcombs.com.

For more information about Smoking and HIV, visit www.outtoquit.org.

The Facts on Smoking & HIV

The DC Center has released a new fact sheet on Smoking and HIV/AIDS. The fact sheet is available at www.OutToQuit.org. You can also click here to download the fact sheet. The following is the summary statement from the fact sheet:

The DC Department of Health estimates that one in twenty DC residents is living with HIV or AIDS. That number is even higher among older District residents and other at-risk populations.

With proper treatment, many people living with HIV/AIDS in the District are living longer, more productive lives, but smoking poses a great threat to their long-term health and well-being.

We’ve known for a long time how dangerous smoking and second hand smoke are for the entire community. The American Cancer Society reports that “each year about 438,000 people in the United States die from illnesses related to cigarette smoking. Cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined.”

The impact of smoking is far greater, however, for people living with HIV/AIDS. Smoking weakens the immune system, and makes it even harder to fight off opportunistic infections associated with HIV. Smoking also increases the risk of HIV-associated malignancies and other cancers found among people living with HIV/AIDS. Further, HIV positive individuals who are at greater risk for heart disease because of lypodystrophy, significantly compound that risk by smoking.
Smoking cessation services are a crucial component of long term HIV/AIDS care. Residents of the District of Columbia can access free support to quit smoking by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. DC residents who call this number can get free smoking cessation aids like nicotine gum or patches.

Want to get all the facts? download the fact sheet here.

Your Chance to Kick the Habit

DC Tobacco Free Families has launched a 10 million dollar campaign to help DC residents quit smoking. The campaign is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Department of Health, and the American Lung Association of DC.

All DC residents can receive FREE nicotine patches and lozenges to help them quit smoking, along with 24/7 counseling.




According to the Tobacco Free Families: “DC has some of the highest rates of cancer and heart disease and mortality in the United States, and tobacco use continues to be the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the District.”

Smoking has additional risks for people living with HIV. Smoking weakens the immune system. It can make it harder to fight off HIV-related infections. HIV associated malignancies, such as anal and cervical cancer, are observed more frequently among HIV/AIDS patients who smoke. Other cancers commonly associated with smoking such as lung, head, and neck, are observed more frequently among HIV-positive smokers compared with other smokers. Additionally, AIDS Dementia Complex is more common among HIV positive smokers than non-smokers.

For more information, call 1 800 QUIT-NOW or visit www.dctff.org.