Weld Health marks Great American Smokeout to encourage quitting smoking

Smoking remains the single greatest preventable cause of death and illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To encourage people to take the first step to living healthier, nicotine-free lives, the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment is recognizing The Great American Smokeout on Thursday, according to a news release. The American Cancer Society recognizes The Great American Smokeout every third Thursday of November.

“This day can look like many things for many people,” the release stated. “For some, it is marked in calendars as the day they will officially decide to quit smoking or vaping. For others, it is a day to reflect and think about quitting. It can even be a day for those who don’t use nicotine products to encourage loved ones to consider quitting or to connect people interested in quitting to quit services.”

About 34.1 million Americans smoke cigarettes, according to the CDC, and about 10.9 million adults and 1 in 5 youth in the U.S. use vaping products. The rate of smoking has decreased about 10% since 2007 in Weld County, according to the release, but nearly 1 in 7 residents still use tobacco products, according to a 2019 county survey.

The survey also showed 17.2% of adults and 26.4% of youth in the county use vaping product regularly.

“This is not to rule out smokeless tobacco, too, which is more common in rural communities like Weld County,” the county release said. “No matter the product, smoking, vaping, and chewing all negatively affect your health, wallet, and the environment.”

Due to the addictiveness of nicotine, quitting vaping smoking or smokeless tobacco requires commitment, a plan and support, the county notes. Research shows using two or more of the following strategies can help:

• Telephone quit lines
• Nicotine Anonymous meetings
• Smoking counselors or coaches
• Self-help books and materials
• Encouragement and support from friends and family members.

“No matter how long or how much you have smoked, vaped, or chewed, it is never too late to quit,” the release states. “A nicotine addiction can’t be kicked in one day, but it starts with one day.”

Residents are encouraged to make that day Thursday and commit to quit for a full 24 hours.

More information and resources to help with quitting are available at www.COQuitLine.org or weldhealth.org. The Colorado QuitLine is free and can be reached at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).