The Great American Smokeout On Nov. 17 Is Your Day To Quit!

Dear Editor,

Quitting tobacco is hard. But starting with a single day of giving up tobacco can help you take the first step to a longer, healthier life. Let the Great American Smokeout event on Friday, Nov. 17, be your day to start the journey toward a life free from smoking. On Nov. 17, join your fellow Montanans and thousands across the nation to celebrate the Great American Smokeout by making a pledge to a tobacco-free life.

For over 40 years, the Great American Smokeout has motivated tobacco users to quit smoking by raising awareness about the deaths and chronic diseases caused by smoking. Around 70 percent of smokers say they want to quit, and 50 percent try each year. However, 26 percent of Montana adults still use tobacco, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States.

It's never too late to stop smoking. The health benefits of quitting smoking begin only minutes after your last cigarette, starting with your heart rate and blood pressure dropping. We're challenging all Montanans who use tobacco to stop for the day in hopes they will quit for good.

The Montana Tobacco Quit Line is here to help you on your quit journey, with free coaching, free nicotine replacement therapy, and free prescription cessation medications. And when you combine coaching with NRT or cessation medications, your chances of a successful quit doubles or even triples! Quit Line coaches know how vulnerable you can feel when attempting to quit smoking, which is why they are trained to provide you a safe and welcoming environment and to meet you where you are in your quit journey.

The Quit Line also offers special programs for American Indians, pregnant women, and youth. Visit QuitNowMontana.com and click on Quit Your Way to learn more about these special programs.

Quitting tobacco can be the most important thing you do for your health and the health of your family. Start today!

Montana Tobacco Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW or QuitNowMontana.com

American Indian Commercial Tobacco Quit Line: 1-855-5AI-QUIT or MTAmercianIndianQuitLine.com

My Life, My Quit (Under 17): 1-855-891-9989, MyLifeMyQuit.com, or text "Start My Quit" to 36072

Sincerely,

Teri Meche

Tobacco Education Specialist

Valley County Health Department