Hailey Heseltine
editor@riverbendnews.org
If you're trying to quit smoking, you're not alone. With many well-studied detrimental effects on health caused by smoking, not to mention economic, social and mental effects, many smokers decide to quit.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, 67.7% of people who smoked said that they wanted to quit smoking. In 2021, 66.5% of adults who ever smoked cigarettes had quit. However, in 2022, over half reported trying to quit within the past year, but less than 10% were successful. Taking advantage of resources, including proven treatments, will improve smokers' chances of successfully quitting. However, only about 40% take advantage of those proven treatments, such as medication and counseling. Resources are available to you, and they can help you leave smoking behind.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) encourages those who want to quit smoking to sign up for free Quit Smoking resources through Tobacco Free Florida's Quit Your Way program. Phone Quit (one-on-one calls with a coach, plus unlimited phone, text and chat support), Web Quit (live coach support via text and chat), and Group Quit (in-person or online group sessions led by a trained specialist, with text support) are offered to those 18 years of age or older. Through Tobacco Free Florida's Quit Your Way program, you can also access services such as up to four weeks of free nicotine replacement patches, gum or lozenges.
According to DOH – Jefferson's website, “Group Quit classes are available in-person or virtual and provide education on the harmful effects of all tobacco use. Group Quit classes are facilitated by Big Bend AHEC and all tools and services are free of charge.”
For more information on quitting smoking and other forms of tobacco intake, including benefits, methods, resources and more, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or call 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (822-6669).