The objective of the Initiative is to empower individual women and women s organizations to recognize the dangers of tobacco use and exposure, and to take a leadership role in helping the global community of women and girls lead tobacco-free lives.
Tobacco products are the leading cause of premature, preventable death among American women.
More than 140,000 women die each year from tobacco-related illnesses. Like men, women who smoke die of lung and other cancers, coronary heart disease and stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, women who smoke face an increased risk of cervical cancer and osteoporosis. Individuals and organizations can unite and act as a collective advocate to eliminate the use of tobacco products by women and girls. In the tradition of targeted marketing to youth, minorities and those of low income, the tobacco industry has long targeted women to smoke.