Happy first day of spring!
Do you know that today is also Kick Butts Day? Every day, more than 3,000 kids under 18 try smoking for the first time and 700 kids become new regular, daily smokers. Tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., killing more than 480,000 people every year. Kick Butts Day is a day for America’s youth to raise awareness about the tobacco problem, encourage peers to be tobacco-free and support effective solutions to reduce tobacco use. It’s also a great day for parents (and non-parents) to set a good example for the young people in our lives. If you currently use tobacco products, check out the resources listed below to help you quit!
Visit kickbuttsday.org for more information.
If you have children, talk with them about avoiding tobacco use, including vaping (which they are more likely to do instead of smoking cigarettes). Studies show that people who avoid starting smoking during their teen years are unlikely to start later, reducing the risk they will become addicted to nicotine or face the other major health risks that come from using tobacco products
Resources:
- If you’re enrolled in The Arc WC’s health insurance plan with Aetna, your plan provides FREE preventive care services and prescription medication to help you quit tobacco, available through your in-network primary care provider. (If you’re enrolled in another plan that is ACA-compliant, this applies to your plan, too.)
- The Washington County Health Department offers FREE support classes, as well as individual counseling, for those who are interested in learning how to quit smoking successfully. All classes are facilitated by Paula Ernst, Community Health Educator (paula.ernst@maryland.gov or 240-313-3418). For more information, please call the Tobacco Free for Life Program at (240)-313-3310; TTY 240-313-3391.
- Smokefree.gov provides free, accurate, evidence-based information and professional assistance to help support the immediate and long-term needs of people trying to quit smoking.
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). This free service offers a lot of resources, including coaching, help with making a quit plan, educational materials, and referrals to other resources where you live.
- Smokefree TXT. This free 24/7 texting program sends encouragement, advice, and tips to help smokers quit smoking for good. To get started, just text QUIT to 47848, answer a few questions, and you’ll start receiving messages.
- Online help at CDC.gov/Tips includes tips from former smokers and helpful online quit resources.
- Smokefree App. The QuitGuide is a free app that tracks cravings, moods, slips, and smokefree progress to help you understand your smoking patterns and build the skills needed to become and stay smokefree. Available for Apple or Android.
- 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE (1-866-784-8454). The American Cancer Society provides quit-smoking programs, resources and support that can increase your chances of quitting successfully. More information is online at QuitNow.net.