ABC News anchorman Peter Jennings this week told the world he has lung cancer. Though he intends to work as much as possible while he undergoes treatment, his presence in the anchor chair will be limited.

As Jennings said during the televised announcement, he had been a heavy smoker for years before quitting, starting and quitting again. The possible link between smoking and lung cancer cannot be explained away.

More than 60 percent of all cancer deaths could be prevented. According to a report issued by the American Cancer Society last week, more than 1.3 million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Of those, 563,700 will die from it.

Healthier diets, exercise and cancer screenings can cut the mortality rate drastically. But the biggest killer – the undisputed champion – remains tobacco. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 168,140 cancer deaths will be caused by tobacco in 2005.

Maine has been aggressive in its fight to reduce the number of young people who smoke. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Maine spends about $14 million a year on tobacco prevention and ranks first among the states in funding anti-tobacco programs. The smoking rate among high school students has dropped as a result of the commitment, falling to about 20 percent of the population. Nationally, about 22 percent of high school students smoke. Smoking accounts for more than 2,100 deaths in Maine every year, including 190 to 340 who die as a result of secondhand smoke. Overall, smoking will cost more than $550 million a year to the state’s health-care costs.

The numbers are clear and compelling, and the deaths and family struggles are real. Every day, people make choices that work against good health. It’s important to keep the pressure on to reduce tobacco use and to promote healthy diets and exercise. We don’t have to accept these deaths, and we shouldn’t.

As Jennings works on, we wish him well in his treatment and recovery, and hope to see him back as full-time anchor soon. Perhaps his public trauma will help others escape tobacco’s addictive hold.