The annual Great American Smokeout is scheduled for Thursday, November 17. The event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, encourages people who currently smoke to quit even if it’s just for one day. This year members of the East Central Alliance fo r Nicotine Prevention say there are more effective tools than ever before to help people quit.
“If people who smoke are ready to quit, there are a lot of places they can go for help,” said Johanna Brotz of East Central Alliance for Nicotine Prevention. ”W e’re all different, so it’s important that the state offer a number of support options to help people quit especially when you’re dealing with an addiction as powerful as nicotine and commercial tobacco products.”
Johanna laid out a number of options th at are available in Wisconsin, including:
The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line provides free help and medications to those who call the line at 1 800 QUIT NOW (784 8669). Individuals can also access the Quit Line by texting “ to 200 400.
The Medicaid program provides free quit smoking services and medications through its cessation benefit. People enrolled in Medicaid should talk to their doctor about the resources available through the program.
The American Indian Quit Line provides Native Americans free, culturally tailored help and medications to quit commercial tobacco to those who call the line at 1 888 7AI QUIT.
Pregnant, postpartum, and caregiving people who smoke, as well as their family members, can get help to quit from the Wiscons in Women’s Health Foundation’s First Breath program. Since 2001, the program has helped
over 24,000 women across the state. Learn more at www.joinfirstbreath.org
Finally, teens who are addicted to e cigarettes can receive free help through the Live Vape Free program by texting to 873373. The program provides teens with interactive resources to help them determine
their motivation for quitting and set a quit date. Additionally, adults who want to support a young person trying to quit e-cigarettes can take part in a free online course from Live Vape Free by visiting
www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vapefree
There are many benefits to quitting smoking, including some that start almost immediately. When you quit, you are not only protecting yourself from the harms of tobacco but everyone around you as well. Smokers who quit before age 40 reduce their chance of dying too ear ly from smoking related diseases by about 90 percent. Those who quit by age 45 54 reduce their chance of dying too early by about two thirds. You can take control of your health by quitting and staying smoke free.
For more information on tobacco preventio n and control efforts in Fond du Lac County, community members are encouraged to join the e mail list for East Central Alliance for Nicotine Prevention which serves Fond du Lac, Green
Lake, Marquette, and Waushara Counties.
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