The Great American Smokeout Marks 32nd Year of Helping
People Quit Tobacco
November 14, 2008 - BOULDER - On November 20 the Great
American Smokeout marks its 32nd year of encouraging tobacco
smokers across the United States to take a step toward
stamping out their cigarettes and starting a journey toward
better health.
“A majority of Boulder County’s tobacco users have
indicated that they want to quit. The Great American
Smokeout provides an ideal time for people to tackle that
challenge,” said Jennifer Kovarik, Boulder County Public
Health (BCPH) Tobacco Education & Prevention Partnership
(TEPP) Coordinator. “Quitting nicotine is one of the most
important health decisions an individual can make. Nicotine
is very addictive, but there are free or low-cost resources
available to help residents quit.”
BCPH officials recommend the following tips to help
successfully quit tobacco:
- Set a quit date.
- Talk to your health care provider.
- Make a quit plan.
- Tell your family, friends, and coworkers that you
are quitting and need their support.
- Access resources, such as the Colorado QuitLine.
“On November 20, with the support of others, people can
quit for the day, which can then lead to quitting for good,”
Kovarik added. “We’re here to help and can direct people to
resources right here in Boulder County.”
The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout
began in California in 1976 and nearly one million smokers
quit smoking for the day. It went nationwide the following
year and has been celebrated on the third Thursday of
November every year since - spreading awareness of tobacco
risks and promoting smoke-free communities.
About 4,300 Coloradoans die every year from
tobacco-related illnesses. Tobacco use can lead to severe
health problems, including cancer, heart disease, and
strokes.
When people who use tobacco quit for good, their health
quickly begins to improve. Within 20 minutes after quitting,
a smoker’s heart rate and blood pressure drops. Within 12
hours, carbon monoxide levels in their blood decrease, and
in as little as two weeks, circulation and lung functions
improve. Long-term health benefits of quitting include
decreasing the risk of cancer, heart disease, and strokes,
and increasing life span.
Those who want to quit can get help from the Colorado
QuitLine, a free telephone coaching service for quitting
tobacco that offers a free supply of the patch. People who
use the QuitLine in addition to the patch are nine times
more likely to quit successfully than those who quit on
their own. To contact the QuitLine, call 1.800.QUIT.NOW
(1-800-784-8669) or visit
www.coquitline.org.
QuitLine coaches are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.
to 9 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information about tobacco prevention efforts in
Boulder County, visit
www.BoulderCountyTobacco.org or call 303-413-7567
during regular business hours.
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