Support the Great
American Smokeout – November 20
CHICAGO – The Illinois
Department of Public Health (IDPH) is asking residents to make a commitment to
stop smoking today – Thursday, November 20 – in support of the Great
American Smokeout. This annual health observance challenges tobacco
users across the nation to quit using tobacco for one day or make a plan to
quit for good.
Smoking
is responsible for nearly 1 in 3 cancer deaths, and 1 in 5 deaths from all
causes. Another 8.6 million people live with serious illnesses caused by
smoking.
“Smoking
is the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S.,” said IDPH Director
Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “By quitting smoking, you lower your risk for lung
cancer and other types of cancer, heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD).”
The
benefits of quitting are experienced immediately. Within 20 minutes of
the last cigarette, a person’s blood pressure and pulse rate drop to normal and
body temperature in hands and feet increase. Within nine hours of the
last cigarette, the carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal and the
oxygen level increases to normal. After going just one day without
smoking, a person’s chance of a heart attack decreases.
For
many, quitting can be difficult, therefore residents are encouraged to contact
the Illinois Tobacco Quitline for help. Quitline staff can help
cigarette, cigar and pipe smokers, as well as, snuff and chew tobacco
users. Counselors provide expert advice, addiction assessment, customized
quit plans, quit kits, craving support and follow up.
The
Quitline is available anytime between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week.
Call 1-866-QUIT-YES, or visit the website www.quityes.org
for help.
The
Quitline is funded through IDPH and operated by the American Lung
Association. This partnership was created to help people quit using
tobacco. Counseling services are FREE.
###
Shelia Porter
Public Information Officer
Illinois
Department of Public Health
69 W.
Washington St.
35th Floor
Chicago, IL
60603
Cell: (312)
919-0264
Ph.: (312)
814-3524
Email: shelia.porter@illinois.gov
Visit our
webstie: http://www.idph.state.il.us/
Follow us
on Twitter: @IDPH
Like us
at: Facebook.com/IDPH.Illinois
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