The annual Great American Smokeout is scheduled for Thursday, November 16. 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 for 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 Laura Nakielski of East Central Alliance for Nicotine Prevention. ”We’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.” Nakielski laid out a number of options that 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 “READY” to 200-400.
The Medicaid program provides free quit smoking services and medications through its cessation benefit.
People enrolled in Medicaid are encouraged to 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 Wisconsin 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 “VAPEFREE” 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 early 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 on tobacco prevention and control efforts in Fond du Lac County, community members are encouraged to join
the East Central Alliance for Nicotine Prevention here.
