Great American Smokeout: Quit Tobacco for Good!

The American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout, sponsored annually on the third Thursday in November (November 15, 2007), challenges people across the nation to stop using tobacco and raises awareness of the many effective ways to quit for good. If you are a tobacco user, this is a great time to consider quitting once and for all!

Approximately 22.1% of Michiganders smoke and 62.2% of these adult smokers have tried to quit smoking in the past year! Research shows that quitters are most successful when using a combination of methods, including such things as stop smoking medications, coaching, classes, self help materials and a strong support network of family and friends.

If you or someone you know is thinking about quitting, there are many quit tobacco programs available in Michigan. Your insurance plan, including Medicare or Medicaid may pay for quit programs or even medications that could help. You will need to call your insurance plan to see what your coverage is. In addition to your insurance, there are many free or low cost smoking cessation resources available to help:

• MICHIGAN TOBACCO QUIT LINE: 1-800-480-QUIT (7848)
  A free service to help people who are ready to quit. Talk with a professionally trained smoking cessation coach 24 hours a day. Receive information, a Quit Kit or referrals to local programs.
• FREE MICHIGAN QUIT KITS: 1-800-537-5666
  (www.healthymichigan.com)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: (www.cdc.gov/tobacco) Get quit tobacco materials and information.
• Quit Net: (www.quitnet.com) Quit Net offers information and support chat rooms.
• Nicotine Anonymous: (www.nicotine-anonymous.org) Information, support, literature, and referrals.
• American Lung Association of Michigan: (www.ALAM.org) Includes Freedom From Smoking, an on-line smoking cessation program.
• American Cancer Society: 1-800-227-2345 (www.cancer.org) Free materials, quit kits and referrals.
• American Heart Association: 1-800-242-8721 (www.americanheart.org) Free materials.

Make a commitment to wellness. Participate in the Great American Smokeout and quit using tobacco for good!