Message from the President Dear Colleagues, Recent new findings by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that the nation's number-once cause of preventable death — smoking — is no longer on the decline. The figures show that adult smoking rates in the U.S. have stalled for a second year in a row, after a seven-year smoking decline. In 2006, 45.3 million, or 20.8 percent of adults reported smoking. Of these adults, 80.1 percent (36.3 million) smoked every day. These findings mirror similar recent data showing that adolescent smoking rates are also flatlining. The CDC data revealed that an estimated 44.2 percent of adults had stopped smoking for at least one day during the preceding 12 months because they were trying to quit. These new findings underscore the necessity for us as a nation to re-commit ourselves to stopping youth from starting to smoke, and helping America's 45 million smokers quit. To combat the nation's number-one cause of preventable death, it is vital that smokers have access to cessation tools and resources. As we observe Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Great American Smokeout and begin planning for New Year's resolutions, let's renew our commitment to jump start the declines in youth and adult smoking rates. Sincerely, Cheryl G. Healton, Dr. P.H. President & CEO American Legacy Foundation