Tobacco Free Florida Week 2015
April 22, 2015
New Initiative Inspires Tobacco Users in Lake County to Quit and Tell
–Tobacco Free Partnership of Lake Countyraises awareness about free quit services during Tobacco Free Florida Week –
TAVARES – The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida Program and Tobacco Free Partnership of Lake County are launching a new initiative called Quit and Tell to celebrate Lake County residents who have quit tobacco and inspire more people to join them.
The Quit and Tell initiative launch aligns with the seventh annual Tobacco Free Florida Week from April 27 to May 3. It is part of a statewide effort to raise awareness about the 3 Free & Easy Ways to Quit available to help Floridians. These free and proven-effective services can double a tobacco user’s chances of quitting.
“Although it could be very difficult to quit smoking, it can be done. There are numerous health related reasons to quit.” said Aaron Kissler, Administrator Florida Department of Health in Lake County. “We are encouraging Lake County residents to Quit and Tell, by sharing their own personal stories on how they won their fight against tobacco.”
Since Tobacco Free Florida launched in 2007, there has been significant progress in reducing the number of smokers in the state. The most current cigarette smoking rate among adults in Florida is 16.8 percent[1] - a rate lower than the national average of 19 percent.[2] Of those current smokers in the state, approximately 1.7 million want to quit.[3,4,5]
More than 126,000 Floridians have already successfully quit using one of the 3 Ways to Quit. These free services help tobacco users create comprehensive and personalized quit plans. Free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), like the patch or a combination of the patch and nicotine gum for heavy smokers, is available while supplies last and if medically appropriate.
“Quitting tobacco can be difficult, but it is not impossible and Tobacco Free Florida’s free services can greatly improve one’s chances,” said Tobacco Free Florida Bureau Chief Shannon Hughes. “In fact, there are more former smokers than current smokers in the state. We are encouraging Floridians to share their success stories to inspire others to do the same.”
Tobacco Free Florida’s 3 Ways to Quit include:
- 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.
- COME IN: Sign up for group classes at your local Area Health Education Center (AHEC) by calling (877)252-6094 or visiting www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/ahec.
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ABOUT TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA WEEK
The seventh annual Tobacco Free Florida Week takes place from April 27 – May 3. Join the conversation on social media using #QuitAndTell. To Quit and Tell, please visit tobaccofreeflorida.com/quitandtell.
ABOUT TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA
The department’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. Tobacco users interested in quitting are encouraged to use one of the state’s three ways to quit. Since 2007, more than 126,000 Floridians have successfully quit, using one of these free services. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida and the state’s free quit resources, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.
The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.
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