Tobacco Awareness Week in northeast Iowa being observed in local area this week, November 11-17

According to statistics gathered by  Helping Services for Youth & Families, one in four Iowa adults uses tobacco in some form; cigarettes are the most used. Tobacco is the leading cause of death for Iowans, taking the lives of more than 4,400 adults each year. Each year in Iowa, 1,300 kids (down from 2,100) under the age of 18 become new daily smokers.

The week of November 11-17 is Northeast Iowa’s Tobacco Awareness Week. November 15 marks the nationwide Great American Smokeout. This annual event encourages people to stop using tobacco for the day and to make plans to quit. The Boards of Supervisors from Allamakee, Delaware, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties have proclaimed Tobacco Awareness Week throughout their counties.

Quitting tobacco is challenging. It’s a journey, but not one that has to be taken alone. Quitline Iowa is a free service with a team of coaches trained to safely guide those interested down the path to success. Quitline Iowa pairs participants with a Quit Coach® to help develop an individualized quitting plan and determine how to best help them stay tobacco-free. A Quit Coach® also helps by:

• Preparing participants for their quit date
• Providing tips and support to live in a smoke-free environment
• Offering advice and information on medications that may help with withdrawal symptoms.

Northeast Iowa residents can take advantage of the program by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visiting www.quitlineiowa.org to enroll. Registration specialists and Quit Coaches® are available 24 hours a day. Those who are commercially insured, uninsured on Medicare or Medicaid Fee for Service can use Quitline Iowa. Those who are uninsured or on Medicare may be eligible for free nicotine replacement therapy.

Learn how to get involved and support tobacco prevention efforts in the local community by contacting Ashley at Helping Services for Youth & Families at 563-880-5388. Serving families since 1973, Helping Services for Youth & Families is dedicated to responding to current health and safety needs of youth and families through empowerment, support and education.