Nationally, tobacco use claims over 450,000 lives annually.  Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death in the United States and Western Pennsylvania. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health 2,790 persons died in 1997 in Allegheny County from smoke related diseases. Cancer was the leading cause of death and cardiovascular diseases accounted for 39% of all smoking-related deaths. Smoking is also responsible for a large number of chronic diseases such as emphysema.

The Respiratory Alliance has become western Pennsylvania's premier provider of tobacco education, cessation, and prevention programs. A newly developed Quitter's Handbook and a relaxation tape have been added to our program materials.