Kansans Encouraged to Join 30th Annual Great American Smokeout

It is estimated that more than 7 million people will quit smoking for a day or longer on November 16 for the 30th annual American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout â, a nationally recognized event challenging people to stop smoking.

Kansans have access to a free tool to help them quit their nicotine addiction. The toll-free Kansas Tobacco Quitline (1-866-KAN-STOP) provides a free, personalized plan for tobacco users in Kansas.

“We are very pleased to see Kansans choosing to get help from our Quitline to stop smoking and using tobacco products,” said Roderick L. Bremby, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). “Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death in Kansans. With programs like the Quitline, Kansans have an excellent resource every day of the year to help them reduce their risk of developing a tobacco-related disease.”

In Kansas, approximately 18 percent of adults currently smoke cigarettes and more than half are seriously considering quitting within the next six months. Currently, 29 percent of high school students report using at least one form of tobacco and 21 percent of high school students report smoking cigarettes. An estimated 285 Kansas youth become regular smokers each month.

Many of the harmful effects of tobacco use will lessen when a smoker quits. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the following changes take place after someone quits smoking:

• 20 Minutes After Last Cigarette: Heart rate drops
• 12 hours After Quitting: Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal.
• 1 Year After Quitting: Added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
• 5 Years After Quitting: Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.
• 15 Years After Quitting: R isk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker’s.

“Quitting smoking is a great way to improve your health,” KDHE Director of Health Dr. Howard Rodenbergsaid. “Both heavy and light smokers will notice an immediate improvement in the health their heart and lungs. Quitting is a healthy move for smokers and their families.”

The toll-free Kansas Tobacco Quitline, 1-866-KAN STOP (1-866-526-7867), is a useful and effective tool for tobacco users who are ready to quit. The Quitline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Experienced cessation counselors work with callers to prepare for a quit date and help create a free personalized quit plan. The one-on-one telephone counseling sessions are scheduled at times convenient for the caller. Callers are encouraged to contact the Quitline as many times as possible to help them meet their goals.

The Kansas Tobacco Use Prevention Program provides resources and technical assistance to community coalitions for development, enhancement and evaluation of state and local tobacco prevention initiatives. For additional information about the Kansas Tobacco Use Prevention Program visit www.kdheks.gov/tobacco/. Visit www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GreatAmericanSmokeout/index for more information about the Great American Smokeout.

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