I am using this blog to encourage individuals and organizations to participate in an important health initiative, The Great American Smokeout, which takes place tomorrow, November 21. While tremendous progress has been made to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine over the past few decades, it is clear more work needs to be done. Here is some information from the American Cancer Society:
Cigarette smoking remains the most preventable cause of serious illness and death. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke cause more than 480,000 deaths in the US every year. It’s not too late to quit using tobacco. No matter your age or how long you’ve been smoking, quitting improves some aspects of your health immediately and even more over the long term. Giving up smoking is a difficult journey, but you can increase your chances of success with a good plan and support. Getting help through counseling and medications doubles or even triples your chances of quitting successfully.
(https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/great-american-smokeout.html)
I also want to commend the prevention efforts being led by the New Jersey Prevention Network. The Incorruptible Youth Tobacco Action Group is engaging our youth in peer-to-peer prevention strategies to reduce experimentation and regular use of e-cigarettes, vaping and other types of tobacco and nicotine use. Those interested in participating in efforts following the Great American Smokeout can contact Ashley Smith at Ashley@njpn.org
Youth Tobacco Action Groups - Incorruptible.us Tobacco Free for a Healthy NJ is working with NJ Youth through the Youth Tobacco Action Groups - a prevention and cessation program for youth ages 13-18. Each county in the state has a county youth tobacco action group. These groups are working to decrease youth tobacco use and initiation. This program is funded by the NJ Department of Health. Individuals interested in learning more about this initiative can contact Ashley Smith, CHES, tobacco projects program manager at ashley@njpn.org