The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida has a message for tobacco users this Great American Smokeout: There Is a Quitter In You.
The Great American Smokeout on Thursday, Nov. 15 is an ideal day for Florida smokers to find their inner quitter. This observance, currently in its 37th year, is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and raises awareness about the dangers of smoking and the many effective resources available to successfully quit.
Tobacco Free Florida is encouraging smokers to make a quit plan during the Great American Smokeout or to plan in advance to quit smoking that day. A comprehensive quit plan is key to quitting for good.
“The most important step a smoker can take for a healthier and longer life is to quit smoking,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “We urge Floridians to take advantage of our resources, and what better time to do so than during the Great American Smokeout. The American Cancer Society has been an invaluable partner in our efforts to help smokers quit.”
Tobacco Free Florida’s evidence-based resources are available free of charge and can help tobacco users set a personalized plan that includes counseling from a certified and trained Quit Coach and FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), when appropriate. This combined approach of counseling and NRT can double or triple a tobacco user’s chance of quitting.
Seven out of 10 adult smokers report that they want to quit completely. Those who have not been successful in the past should continue to try because most former smokers make several attempts before quitting permanently.
Tobacco Free Florida offers three ways to quit:
CALL: Call the Florida Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW to speak with a Quit Coach who will help you assess your addiction and help you create a personalized quit plan.
CLICK: Enroll in the Web Coach®, which will help you create your own web-based quit plan that’s right for you, visit https://www.quitnow.net/florida.
COME IN: Visit the Florida Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Network’s website, http://ahectobacco.com, to locate your local AHEC and sign up for Quit Smoking Now group classes.
For more information, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com.
