Nov. 17: Great American Smoke Out returns

Media release: Tobacco use claims the lives of more than 10,300 Georgians each year, and is a leading preventable cause of illness and death in the United States and in Georgia. The Georgia Tobacco Quit Line celebrates this year's observance of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout November 17 along with the 10th anniversary of the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line.

If you are a tobacco user, now's the best time to quit for yourself, your loved ones and others. All tobacco users throughout the Northwest Public Health District (Rome) are encouraged to start taking steps now to kick the tobacco habit at least for one day. The Great American Smokeout®, the Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005 and the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line are catalysts that can motivate Georgians to quit tobacco and adopt a healthier, tobacco-free lifestyle.

This year on November 17^{th, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is encouraging all tobacco users to join thousands across Georgia who are getting help quitting tobacco use by calling the toll free Quit Line 1-877-270-STOP(7867); Spanish speakers call 1-877-2NO-FUME; TTY: 1-877-777-6534 for the hearing-impaired.}

Nearly 1.3 million Georgia adults aged 18 and older smoke cigarettes alone. More than 10,300 Georgians die each year from tobacco-related illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, lung and other cancers, as well as severe respiratory illnesses including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Smokers also are more likely than nonsmokers to experience shortness of breath, wheezing, fertility problems, and visual impairments.

In addition, tobacco use among teens is remains a challenge in Georgia. Approximately 18 percent or 1.3 million Georgians ages 18 and older smoke cigarettes. Approximately 10 percent or 35,000 Georgia middle school students and 23 percent or 98,000 high school students reported using some form of tobacco, according to 2009 Georgia Data Summary on Youth Tobacco Use.

Since 2001, the Georgia Quit Line has received over 70,000 calls. The Quit Line is operated by a national tobacco cessation vendor and serves all Georgia tobacco users. The Georgia Tobacco Quit Line provides free and confidential phone-based professional counseling in English, Spanish and other languages, a resource library, as well as support and referrals to local services for Georgians 13 years and older.

According to a comprehensive evaluation report conducted by Georgia State University's Institute of Public Health, the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line is effective in increasing the number of successful quit attempts. Recent analyses have shown that proactive quit lines provide a 56% increase in quit rates when compared to self-help. Additionally, the study found that 85% of Georgians who called the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line were satisfied with their experience and 87% said they would recommend the Quit Line to others.

Moreover, healthcare costs related to tobacco use accounts for nearly $1.8 billion from Georgia's economy every year. More than 40 percent of children who go to the emergency room for asthma episodes reside with smokers. The recent U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Secondhand Smoke also shows that almost 3 million children under the age of 6 years breathe toxic fumes from secondhand smoke at least 4 days per week. Secondhand smoke is dangerous for children and can cause asthma attacks, bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections. Babies under one year of age are particularly vulnerable to secondhand smoke, and are at increased risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

It has long been known that smoking and tobacco use is a major health risk to both smokers and non-smokers alike. Great strides have been made in the fight against tobacco use since the inception of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout nationwide more than 34 years ago in November 1977.

The good news for nonsmokers in Georgia is that our state has already taken steps to protect your health. The State Legislature passed the Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005. By eliminating smoking in some public places, the law aims to protect Georgians by reducing people's exposure to secondhand smoke and to help to decrease the number of preventable tobacco-related illnesses and deaths in the state.

Being tobacco-free is part of the Live Healthy Georgia campaign that also encourages Georgians to eat healthy, be active, get checked and be positive. Take your first step toward quitting tobacco for good by giving up smoking on or before Thursday, November 17th for the Great American Smokeout®.

For more information about quitting tobacco and local events, visit the Live Healthy Georgia website: www.livehealthygeorgia.org and the American Cancer Society's website: http://www.cancer.org/.