Quitting smoking isn’t easy. It takes time. And a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with day one. Let the Great American Smokeout event on November 15 be your day to start your journey toward a smoke-free life. You’ll be joining thousands of smokers across the country in taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing your cancer risk.
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 38 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world. Smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1-in-5 deaths. And more than 16 million Americans live with a smoking-related disease. While the cigarette smoking rate has dropped significantly, from 42 percent in 1965 to less than 15.5 percent in 2016, the gains have been inconsistent. Some groups of Americans suffer disproportionately from smoking-related cancer and other diseases, including those who have less education, who live below the poverty level, or who suffer from serious psychological distress, as well as certain racial and ethnic groups, and lesbians, gays and bisexuals.
Quitting smoking improves health immediately and over the long term – at any age. Stopping smoking is hard, but you can increase your chances of success with help.
FirstHealth is here to help.
FirstQuit is our comprehensive tobacco cessation program that uses the latest techniques to assist tobacco users through the process of quitting smoking, chewing and other forms of tobacco use.
The program includes:
- Customized quit plan
- Small group and one-to-one health education
- Identification of triggers
- Coping strategies
- Medications (Nicotine patches, gum and lozenges)
- Regular support groups
Fees run from $5 to $50, based on household income. Programs offered in Hoke, Moore, Montgomery and Richmond counties. For more information call toll-free (888) 534-5333.
