CHENANGO COUNTY — Quitting smoking isn’t easy. It takes time and a solid plan to accomplish your goal to quit.  The Great American Smokeout event on the third Thursday in November could be your day to start your journey toward a smoke-free life.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the use of tobacco leads to long-term illnesses and damages every organ of the body. Unfortunately, more dollars and efforts are made to market tobacco products by the tobacco industry than to offer prevention and support towards quitting the use of these products.

Secondhand smoke is yet another concern especially due to the health issues that nonsmokers suffer because of it. Secondhand smoke contains thousands of chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic, and many of these toxic chemicals can cause cancer.

However, there have been improvements made in public venues to ban smoking so nonsmokers can safely enjoy their environment. Business settings that enforce smokefree policies offer positive effects to their customers. Some of these benefits include improvement of air quality, improvement of health, and resolution in high levels of compliance.

What can be done to support the smoking population in quitting the use of tobacco? The CDC identifies November 18, 2022, as the Great American Smokeout Day. During this time tobacco users are encouraged to identify this date as the beginning of a smoke free life.

There are products available if needed to assist with these efforts. Seven FDA-approved products are available to help adults quit smoking. Some products are prescribed by your doctor, and others you can get over the counter at a pharmacy. No matter what age or how long tobacco use has been a habit, it’s never too late to begin the effort towards a healthier lifestyle.

For more information visit:

The New York State Quitline Call 1-866-NY-QUITS

https://www.nysmokefree.com/

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/features/great-american-smokeout/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/

Persons with questions or requiring additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.

-Information provided by the Chenango County Health Department