Great American Smokeout and Colorado QuitLine Offer
Tobacco Users Steps Toward Healthier Lifestyle
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 - DENVER - On Thursday,
Nov. 20, thousands of Colorado smokers will participate in
the 32nd Great American Smokeout and take steps toward a
healthier lifestyle, by quitting smoking for the day, and
possibly for the rest of their lives. The Colorado QuitLine
is standing by to help people take the first step toward
quitting.
According to research, the majority of Colorado smokers
want to quit, and the Great American Smokeout raises
awareness about effective ways to quit for good. The
Colorado QuitLine offers a free supply of the patch and free
advice from experienced coaches by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
“People who use the Colorado QuitLine along with the
patch are nine times more likely to quit successfully
compared to those who quit on their own,” said Deb
Montgomery Osborne, tobacco cessation director of the State
Tobacco, Education & Prevention Partnership at the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment. “The Great
American Smokeout creates the community support to quit for
the day, and the Colorado QuitLine provides the tools to
quit for the long term.”
The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout
began in California in 1976 and encouraged nearly one
million smokers to quit 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.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable
deaths in the United States. About 4,300 Coloradans die
every year from tobacco-related illnesses. Smoking leads to
severe health problems, including cancer, heart disease and
strokes. Additionally, research shows that secondhand smoke
is a known cause of lung cancer, heart disease and chronic
lung ailments, such as bronchitis and asthma.
When people quit smoking, their health begins to improve
immediately. Studies indicate that within 20 minutes after
quitting, a smoker’s heart rate and blood pressure drop.
Within 12 hours, the carbon monoxide levels in their blood
decrease to a normal level. As soon as two weeks, their
circulation and lung functions have improved. 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 or those who are thinking about
quitting can seek help and support from the Colorado
QuitLine, a free telephone coaching service for quitting
tobacco that offers a free supply of the patch. To contact
the QuitLine, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit
www.coquitline.org for Web-based cessation tools. The
Colorado QuitLine is operated by National Jewish Health
under contract to the State Tobacco Education & Prevention
Partnership. QuitLine coaches are available Mondays through
Fridays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m.
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