Perry County Health Department
Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Each year, an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million live with a serious illness caused by smoking. Despite these risks, approximately 46.6 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco, cigars, and pipes also have deadly consequences, including lung, larynx, esophageal, and oral cancers.
Preventing tobacco product use among youth is critical to ending the tobacco epidemic in the United States.
- Tobacco product use is started and established primarily during adolescence.
- Nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first try smoking by age 18, and 99% first try smoking by age 26.
- Each day in the U.S., about 1,600 youth smoke their first cigarette and nearly 200 youth start smoking every day.
If you are interested in getting cessation resources to distribute, educational presentations or trainings on tobacco use or vaping, or help with tobacco policy, contact The Perry County Health Department at 740-342-5179 to speak with Lesa Garey.
Becoming smokefree can be hard — for any person at any age — even if you don’t smoke every day. The good news is that there are steps you can take before quitting that can help you be successful.
Think about why you want to quit. Knowing your reasons can help you stay motivated.
- Make a plan
Setting a quit date, researching the methods available to help you quit and understanding the possible side effects that you may have from trying to quit will help to ensure your success. - Avoid your triggers
If you know that certain people, feelings, or situations cause you smoke, be sure to stay away from them. - Stay positive
Try to keep a positive mindset and focus on the present. And don’t forget to reward yourself for 24 hours smokefree! - Ask for help
You don’t have to do it alone. Tell your friends and family that you’re quitting and will need their support. If you feel comfortable talking to your doctor about your plans to quit, ask how they might be able to help.
Enroll in Ohio’s Tobacco Quitline and receive free support to significantly increase your chances of success in quitting nicotine dependence for good. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) and speak with an intake specialist to help you quit all forms of tobacco.
The Ohio Tobacco Quit Line provides personal quit coaching and telephone counseling free of charge to ALL Ohioans, regardless of insurance status or income. There is also a special protocol for pregnant women. Nicotine patches are provided for up to eight weeks at no charge to eligible participants.
Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) from burning tobacco products causes disease and premature death among people who do not smoke. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke; even brief exposure can cause immediate harm.
Comprehensive smokefree laws are laws that prohibit smoking in all workplaces and public places, including restaurants and bars. Comprehensive smoke-free laws and policies fully protect people from secondhand smoke exposure.
Great news! Ohio’s smoke free workplace law has expanded to include e-cigarettes. If you see someone using these inside, ask them to take it outside. To report a violation, call 1-866-559-Ohio.
- Opening a window or using a fan does not protect children.
- Air purifiers and air fresheners do not remove smoke’s poisons.
- Smoke from one cigarette can stay in a room for hours. Don’t smoke at home, even when children aren’t there.
No amount of secondhand smoke is safe. Even when you can’t smell it, cigarette smoke can still harm your child. Think your home is safe?
My Life, My Quit is a free and confidential way for teens to quit smoking or vaping. Text "Start My Quit" to 36072 or click on the image to chat with a Coach. Your Coach is with you every step of the way. It's YOUR LIFE and your Coach will help you live it YOUR WAY. Click on the image to the left and start living Tobacco-Free!
Would you prefer personal, individual counseling? Contact our Health Educators who are trained Tobacco Treatment Specialists for help.
Call 740-342-5179 and ask for Lesa Garey.
