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Great American Smoke Out; Tobacco Free Florida Can Help
November 20, 2014
Thursday was the Great American Smokeout, and the Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program is encouraging tobacco users across the state to quit or at least make a quit plan.
The Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is currently in its 39th year. The observance raises awareness about the dangers of smoking and the many effective resources available to successfully quit.
“Though the prevalence of adult and youth smoking in Florida continues to decline we must remain vigilant in our efforts to help Floridians end their use of cigarette products,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “When you make the decision to quit you are taking a step in the right direction to improve health for yourself, your loved ones and your community.”
While quitting tobacco is difficult, it is not impossible. There are more former smokers in Florida than there are current smokers.[i] Those who have tried to quit in the past but relapsed are encouraged to try again. Many former smokers make several attempts before quitting permanently.
Tobacco Free Florida offers three “free and easy” ways to quit using tobacco:
- CALL: Call the Florida Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW to speak with a Quit Coach who will help assess a user’s addiction and help create a personalized quit plan.
- CLICK: Enroll in the Web Coach which will help to create a web-based quit plan unique to each individual user, visit https://www.quitnow.net/florida.
- COME IN: Visit AHEC’s website, http://ahectobacco.com, to locate a local AHEC and sign up for Quit Smoking Now group classes.
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 93,400 Floridians have successfully quit using one of these free services.
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