Oakland County Health Division joins the American Cancer Society in celebrating the Great American Smokeout today, Nov. 19. The Smokeout encourages people to quit smoking for a day, a step towards quitting completely.
"Tobacco use continues to be the single most preventable cause of death globally," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. "I urge smokers in Oakland County to set a date to quit smoking and locate the resources to help them achieve that goal."
According to the 2012-2014 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, 17.8 percent of adults in Oakland County smoke on average. This is a decrease from the prior three-year average of 19 percent. The adult rate for Michigan is 22 percent.
"Although Oakland County's adult smoking rate is lower than Michigan's, there is still more to be done to assist adults in quitting smoking," said Kathy Forzley, manager and health/officer of the Health Division. "Research shows that while quitting is difficult for most tobacco users, they are most successful when using a combination of therapies, such as nicotine replacement, counseling, self-help materials, and a strong support network of family and friends."
To celebrate the Great American Smokeout, the Health Division is encouraging healthcare providers to ask their patients about tobacco use at every visit, provide advice to tobacco users about the benefits of quitting, and refer clients to the Michigan Tobacco Quitline: 800-QUIT-NOW or 800-784-8669.
The Michigan Tobacco Quitline provides free telephone coaching for the uninsured, pregnant women, residents enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare, veterans, cancer patients, youth and Native Americans. Free nicotine replacement therapy is offered to those who qualify. The Quitline provides services such as text messaging, an online program, and referral to all Michigan residents.
Find up-to-date public health information at www.oakgov.com/health or on Facebook and Twitter @publichealthOC.
Published: Thu, Nov 19, 2015
