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What You Should Know About Tobacco

Tobacco use hurts your health and costs you in many ways. Here are some facts about tobacco use that every child and adult should know.

  • Don’t get trapped. Nicotine in cigarettes, cigars, and spit tobacco is addictive.
  • Smoking can damage your lungs and reduce your ability to breathe during sports and exercise.
  • Smokers suffer shortness of breath (gasp!) almost 3 times more often than nonsmokers.
  • Cigars, spit tobacco and vaping are NOT safe alternatives.
  • Know the truth. Despite all the tobacco use on TV, movies, music videos, billboards and magazines — most teens, adults, and athletes DON’T use tobacco.
  • Don’t waste (burn) money on tobacco. The average cost at 1 pack a day is over $1800 a year!
  • Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States with more than 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure alone.
  • Get involved: make your team, school, home and community tobacco-free; teach others; join community efforts to prevent tobacco use.

Source: Centers for Disease Control’s Tobacco Information and Prevention Source and OAAC. Additional information is available at www.cdc.gov/tobacco

 

Recent News

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Very High Tree Pollen Levels Continue – Third highest Tree Pollen levels in 2026

Highest Levels of Tree Pollen Detected in the United States for 2/27/2026

February 27, 2026

A VERY HIGH ALERT has been issued for tree pollen levels in Oklahoma City, marking the SEVENTH VERY HIGH ALERT in the last eleven days, and the EIGHT HIGH or VERY HIGH ALERT in that same timeframe. Today’s counts are the highest reported in the U.S. and the third highest recorded this year.

This marks the FIFTH day this year in the TOP TEN days for Cedar Season (in the past five years), and TENTH highest day for Tree Pollen (All Seasons) in twenty years.


Cedar Fever and Regional Impact

Cedar tree pollen contributes to “Cedar Fever”, a winter allergy affecting millions across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri. Unlike spring and summer allergies, Cedar Fever peaks from late November to February, with pollen grains capable of traveling hundreds of miles in Oklahoma winds.


Recommendations to Reduce Exposure

OAAC allergists recommend the following steps:

  • Limit outdoor activities on high pollen days
  • Keep windows closed at home and in vehicles
  • Change clothes and shower after being outdoors
  • Leave shoes at the door to avoid tracking pollen inside
  • Wash hands frequently, especially after outdoor contact
  • Wear a dust mask for outdoor chores
  • Use and regularly replace HEPA filters in HVAC systems

Medical Management

  • Continuous use of nasal sprays and antihistamines may help, but proper diagnosis is essential
  • Seasonal allergies cannot be diagnosed by history alone. OAAC allergists offer simple tests to identify specific triggers

OAAC serves patients of all ages across the southwest region, with clinics in Edmond, Norman, northwest Oklahoma City, and the OU Health Sciences Center campus.


Contact and Appointment Information

Visit www.oklahomaallergy.com for clinic locations.
To schedule an appointment or request more information, call (405) 235-0040 or visit the website.

The post Very High Tree Pollen Levels Continue – Third highest Tree Pollen levels in 2026 appeared first on Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

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