Peter Jennings' Impact Still Felt One Year After his Death
Aug. 7, 2006— -- A year ago today, World News Tonight anchor Peter Jennings died from lung cancer caused by smoking cigarettes. Jennings had long battled his nicotine addiction. He quit smoking for many years, but the tragedy of 9/11 caused him to begin again.
Yet he continued to battle with his addiction and tried often to quit.
"In regard to this subject, he really was a fighter," ABC News Medical editor, Dr. Tim Johnson said.
Smoking is an extremely difficult habit to quit, even though doing so can save one's life. Tobacco killed one billion people worldwide this century. Johnson said there are 49 million smokers in U.S. -- 40 percent of whom are trying to quit and only five percent are able to quit long-term. Two-thirds of those who do quit start again within a month.
Johnson said that he has heard that Jennings' struggle inspired many people to quit smoking. After his death, ABC News launched an initiative called "Quit to Live" which tracked the efforts of smokers trying to give up cigarettes and also made resources available to those in need. Jennings' death seems to have inspired others to win their fight with nicotine and Johnson said that the American Cancer Society reported an increase in people calling their help line to quit since Jennings' passed away.
Today, many smokers use things like the patch, nasal sprays or nicotine gum to help them quit. Others use counseling, which Johnson said doubles the success rate.
"I would encourage people to take advantage of these things that are now available like gum, patches, nasal sprays; these really do help people to quit," Johnson said. "Studies show only about 20 percent of people who trying to quit use these proven methods. You should talk to your doctor and use proven techniques. It makes a big difference."
The most important thing is to be persistent, Johnson said.
"Don't give up," he said. "People have to keep trying this is one of those addictions where you're not likely to succeed the first time but if you keep trying your chances of success go up. And if you rally want to quit and keep trying you'll ultimately succeed."
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