Great American Smokeout

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) and Live Well Johnson County is encouraging all Johnson County residents to commit or recommit to healthy, tobacco-free lives by participating in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout on November 16, 2017.

“The most important thing smokers can do to improve their health is to quit cigarettes and other forms of combustible tobacco,” said JCDHE Community Health Division Director, Barbara Mitchell. “As leaders in promoting health and wellness, we are showing our support for people who take those first steps toward making a plan to quit.”

40 Million Adults Still Smoke in the United States

Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. About half of all Americans who keep smoking will die because of the habit. Each year more than 480,000 people in the United States die from illnesses related to tobacco use. This means smoking causes about 1 out of 5 deaths in the U.S. annually. Yet, because tobacco is one of the strongest addictions one can have, about 40 million American adults still smoke. Doctors and public health officials used to encourage smokers to quit cold turkey on a single day. Today, the evidence shows that quitting is a process.

It starts with a plan, often takes time and requires a lot of support. JCDHE encourages Johnson County residents to use KanQuit which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support as people make their plan to quit. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)

“JCDHE wants to help the people in our community to be healthy and happy,” said Michelene Krueger, JCDHE Community Health Educator. “During this year’s Great American Smokeout, we hope everyone will join us – and encourage their friends, family and colleagues to join us – in committing or recommitting to year-around, tobacco-free lives.”