Apalachicola – The
Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida Program and Department of
Health in Franklin County are launching a new initiative called Quit and Tell
to celebrate Franklin 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.
“The Quit and Tell
initiative is a great tool that will provide a ‘starting point’ for those who
desire to quit.” said Gina Moore, Tobacco Prevention Program Manager. “By
reading about the successes of others, they too will be encouraged to use one
of the 3 Free and Easy Ways to quit.”
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 - a rate lower than the national average of
19 percent. Of those current smokers in the state, approximately 1.7 million
want to quit.
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.
- CLICK: Tobacco Free Florida’s online cessation tool can be accessed at tobaccofreeflorida.com/webcoach.
- COME IN: Sign up for group classes at your local Area Health Education Center (AHEC) by calling (850) 224-1177 or visiting www.ahectobacco.com.
There are plenty of
reasons to quit. Quitting smoking can add up to 10 years to one’s life expectancy.
The health benefits of quitting smoking begin almost immediately after one’s
last cigarette and continue for years if one quits for good.
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