Tobacco Prevention News
Another year has passed and its once again time for the annual Great American Smoke Out. This awareness event was created by the American Cancer Society and is held during National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
The Great American Smoke Out is observed the third Thursday in November each year. This year, it is observed on Nov. 21 and challenges people to use the day to quit smoking, even if for only one day. It can also be used to help people learn about the tools and resources available to help them quit smoking.
There is the Montana Tobacco Quit Line and it’s many branches to better serve each individual’s needs. First, there is the American Indian Commercial Tobacco Quit Line which has a new dedicated number of 1-855-5AI-QUIT and re-designed website. This quit line has also been restructured with additional staff so now, every call is answered.
Second, there is the Quit Now Pregnancy Program. This quit line is for pregnant women that are seeking help quitting smoking, Women must be enrolled during the pregnancy. Currently, there is a $20 incentive for five completed coaching calls during pregnancy and a $30 incentive for four completed coaching calls postpartum totaling two hundred-twenty dollars in incentives. There is also the Young Adult Program designed specifically for individuals ages 18-24 and is set up for texting or chatting for those that don’t want to participate via phone call. To enroll with this option, simply request this option during the initial call to the quit line or enroll online at quitnowmontana.com.
Addiction to nicotine in cigarettes, including electronic cigarettes is one of the strongest and deadliest addictions. Nearly thirty-eight million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of illness and death in the world. Smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths each year and more than 16 million Americans live with a smoking-related disease. However, the cigarette smoking rate has dropped to an all-time low of 11 percent.
Quitting smoking has many short and long term benefits. Some of the benefits include:
• Heart rate and blood pressure begin to drop within 20 minutes of the last hit off a cigarette
• Carbon monoxide level drops to normal within twelve hours of the last hit off a cigarette
• An individual’s circulation improves and lung function increases two weeks to three months after quitting
• Coughing and shortness of breath improves one to 12 months after last hit off a cigarette
• A smoker’s risk of cancer and stroke are both cut in half five years after quitting
• The risk of heart disease or developing cancer decrease as time passes Quitting smoking is hard for many people who smoke. It takes commitment, planning, a lot of support, and it often times takes more than one attempt to quit. Smokers are strongly advised to use proven cessation methods such as prescription medications and counseling to quit. Research shows that smokers are most successful in their efforts to quit smoking when they have support such as
• Telephone quit lines
• Smoking counselors or coaches
• Encouragement and support from family and friends On Thursday, Nov. 21, make a plan to quit smoking even if only for one day. For questions regarding the dangers of smoking, benefits to quitting smoking, or questions regarding the Montana Tobacco Quit Line, contact A.J. Allen, tobacco education specialist for Roosevelt and Daniels counties, at 406-653-6212. To call the Montana Tobacco Quit Line, call 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669) or visit www.quitnowmontana. com. To call the American Indian Commercial Tobacco Quit Line, call 1-855-5AIQUIT (1-855-524-8669) or visit mt-americanindian.quitlogix. org.
