Great American Smokeout and Colorado QuitLine
Offer
Tobacco Users Steps Toward Healthier Lifestyle
DENVER - On Thursday, Nov. 20, thousands of Colorado
smokers will participate in the 32nd Great American Smokeout and take
steps toward a healthier lifestyle, by quitting smoking for the day, and
possibly for the rest of their lives. The Colorado QuitLine is standing
by to help people take the first step toward quitting.
According to research, the majority of Colorado
smokers want to quit, and the Great American Smokeout raises
awareness about effective ways to quit for good. The Colorado
QuitLine offers a free supply of the patch and free advice from
experienced coaches by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
“People who use the Colorado QuitLine along with
the patch are nine times more likely to quit successfully
compared to those who quit on their own,” said Deb Montgomery
Osborne, tobacco cessation director of the State Tobacco,
Education & Prevention Partnership at the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment. “The Great American Smokeout
creates the community support to quit for the day, and the
Colorado QuitLine provides the tools to quit for the long term.”
The American Cancer Society’s Great American
Smokeout began in California in 1976 and encouraged nearly one
million smokers to quit for the day. It went nationwide the
following year and has been celebrated on the third Thursday of
November every year since, spreading awareness of tobacco risks
and promoting smoke-free communities.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of
preventable deaths in the United States. About 4,300 Coloradans
die every year from tobacco-related illnesses. Smoking leads to
severe health problems, including cancer, heart disease and
strokes. Additionally, research shows that secondhand smoke is a
known cause of lung cancer, heart disease and chronic lung
ailments, such as bronchitis and asthma.
When people quit smoking, their health begins to
improve immediately. Studies indicate that within 20 minutes
after quitting, a smoker’s heart rate and blood pressure drop.
Within 12 hours, the carbon monoxide levels in their blood
decrease to a normal level. As soon as two weeks, their
circulation and lung functions have improved. Long-term health
benefits of quitting include decreasing the risk of cancer,
heart disease and strokes and increasing life span.
Those who want to quit or those who are thinking
about quitting can seek help and support from the Colorado
QuitLine, a free telephone coaching service for quitting tobacco
that offers a free supply of the patch. To contact the QuitLine,
call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit
www.coquitline.org for
Web-based cessation tools. The Colorado QuitLine is operated by
National Jewish Health under contract to the State Tobacco
Education & Prevention Partnership. QuitLine coaches are
available Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and
Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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State of Colorado,
Department
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