he American Legacy Foundation® today named actress Mena Suvari as the latest celebrity ambassador to its Circle of Friends®: Uniting to Be Smoke-Free program. As an ambassador, Suvari will advocate for healthy lifestyle choices and encourage support for women who are trying to quit smoking.

Suvari’s film credits include a star-making turn in American Beauty, and appearances in American Pie and its sequel American Pie 2. She is currently featured in the film Beauty Shop, co-starring with Queen Latifah, Kevin Bacon, Alicia Silverstone, and Andie McDowell.

The Circle of Friends program is a national grassroots movement dedicated to educating women about the dangers of tobacco-related diseases and addiction, and highlighting the importance of supporting smokers who want to quit. Each year in the U.S., 178,000 women die from tobacco-related diseases, including heart disease, cancers, emphysema, and stroke. In fact, lung cancer, which is primarily caused by smoking, is the leading cancer killer of women.

Like many young people, Ms. Suvari started smoking in her teens. After a few years, she quit with help and support from her family and friends. The recent loss of an aunt to a tobacco-related disease as a result of secondhand smoke, coupled with her firsthand experience with the difficult process of quitting smoking, prompted her to speak out. Her aunt died at an early age and left behind a husband and two children.

“One of the things you learn being in the public eye is that you have the ability to raise awareness about serious issues, and, in the process, really help people. That is why I want to work on behalf of Circle of Friends,” said Suvari. “I’ve chosen to get the word out to women, especially young women, that tobacco is not glamorous – it’s addictive, and smoking takes a serious toll on your health.”

Suvari will appear in a Circle of Friends public awareness advertising campaign, “Portraits”, featuring celebrity women who are passionate about the cause. The ad campaign also highlights the program’s Sunburst symbol – the icon of the Circle of Friends program. The Sunburst represents the hope that quitting is possible with the right tools, including support from friends and family.

In addition, Suvari made an appearance at the American Legacy Foundation’s annual “Honors” awards in February in New York City. The annual event pays tribute to individuals from various fields whose contributions have strengthened the foundation’s mission to build a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit.

“Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things for a person to do. When smokers get support from family and friends, they are 50 percent more likely to succeed in quitting,” said Dr. Cheryl G. Healton, president and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation. “By sharing her struggle with tobacco addiction, Mena will lend support and encouragement to other women who are going through the same struggle.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70 percent of American smokers say they want to quit, yet fewer than five percent succeed each year. Research shows that smokers are 50 percent more likely to quit when they have social support, including help from friends and family.

By creating networks of support among families, friends, and co-workers who are struggling to break their addictions to tobacco, the Circle of Friends program aims to: