The Public Health Departments of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties are teaming up to promote the Great American Smokeout on November 20, a national day to encourage smokers to quit. The Tri-County team recognizes 3-out-of-4 Oregonians want to quit smoking and they want to encourage residents to use November 20 as the day to kick start that goal!
When people choose to quit smoking, their health improves significantly;
• 20 minutes after quitting, heart rate and blood pressure drop
• 12 hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in a person’s blood drops to normal
• 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting, circulation improves and lung function increases
• 1 to 9 months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection
• 1 year after quitting, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker’s
• 5 years after quitting, risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder are cut in half
Quitting tobacco is a difficult thing to do, but it can be done! According to the American Cancer Society, most success comes from utilizing two or more of the following tools; encouragement and support from friends and family members, telephone smoking-cessation hotlines, stop-smoking groups, online quit groups, counseling, nicotine replacement products, prescription medicine to lessen cravings, and guide books.
Resources to prepare for your quit attempt on November 20th:
• The Oregon Tobacco Quit Line: 1 (800) 784-8669 English, 1 (877) 266-3683 Spanish. Provides free, confidential and friendly coaching to help you quit and also offers an online, live chat coaching service for those who would prefer to receive help online. Visit www.oregonquitline.org to register. Available 24/7. English and Spanish available.
• Both group and individual cessation classes offered:
o Customize Your Quit: (541) 330-9695, anne@customizeyourquit.com
o St. Charles Health System: (541) 706-6390, www.stcharleshealthcare.org
• Online cessation resources:
o American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking, www.ffsonline.org
o American Cancer Society’s Quit for Life Program, www.alerewellbeing.com/quit-for-life/
o Become an EX, www.becomeanex.org
