According to Healthy Communities of Clinton County, Quit Now Indiana and national organizations, cigarette smoking causes nearly 500,000 deaths in the United States every year with more than 16 million Americans living with a smoking-related illness.
In Indiana, over 11,000 residents reportedly die every year from smoking-related diseases. Indiana Department of Health Director for Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Miranda Spitznagle commented about the benefits of spreading awareness about ailments derived from smoking.
“CDC’s Tips campaign has helped increase awareness of quit smoking resources and motivated people who smoke to quit throughout Indiana,” Spitznagle said. As a public health worker, I see the devastating health impacts caused or made worse by smoking and secondhand smoke. Healthy Communities of Clinton County is committed to connecting Clinton County residents who smoke and want to quit with free resources that can help them quit smoking.”
Mass-reach health education campaigns, like Tips, are designed to help people quit smoking, improve their health and reduce healthcare spending. Most Indiana adults who smoke cigarettes want to quit, and people who smoke who have seen Tips ads report greater intentions to quit within the next 30 days. Those who have seen the ads multiple times have even greater intentions to quit.
Healthy Communities Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program Coordinator Tammy Koger commented that quitting smoking may be difficult, but it is possible. Hoosiers may access free help by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or texting READY to 34191 for help in English or texting LISTO to 34191 for help in Spanish. Community members may also contact Healthy Communities at 765-659-6063 for additional free resources to help quit smoking.
