Just in time for the New Year, the American Lung Association (ALA) in Missouri announced free resources to help residents who are ready to quit using tobacco as a part of their New Year’s Resolution.
According to the ALA 2018 State of Tobacco Control report, more than 22 percent of adults smoke in Missouri, which is attributed to 10,970 deaths per year in the state. Unfortunately, not everyone has benefited equally from tobacco-control efforts and, as a result, the smoking rate is much higher for lower-income and some minority communities. In fact, 33.6 percent of adults living in public housing smoke and more than 20 percent of African-American adults report that they currently use tobacco.
“While the smoking rate is decreasing in our state, not all communities are seeing the same progress and lifesaving benefits of quitting smoking,” said Plesetta Clayton, director of health promotions for the ALA. “That’s why we offer special programs throughout the city to help people quit. The New Year is the perfect time for people to commit to a smoke-free life, and we are here to help.”
The ALA offers several free programs and resources to help Missourians quit smoking.
Smoking Cessation for Low Income Housing Residents Initiative. The ALA works with public housing agencies and other local partners to provide free resources for people who are ready to quit. The residents are given free access to the Freedom From Smoking Program, a proven, effective smoking cessation program that has helped hundreds of thousands of people quit tobacco. This program is funded by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri. For more information, call 1-800-586-4872.
The Lung HelpLine. This free resource at 1-800-586-4872 is staffed by certified tobacco-cessation specialists, some of whom are also respiratory therapists, registered nurses and pharmacists. Along with counseling, the HelpLine offers up to six weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (such as nicotine patches) to people who are medically eligible. Resources are available online at Lung.org or over the phone at 1-800-586-4872.
“Nicotine in cigarettes and e-cigarettes are highly addictive, which is part of why it can be so tough to quit smoking,” said Clayton. “On average, it takes a tobacco user eight to 11 quit attempts before they are smokefree. This is why it is so important to turn to proven methods and expert resources to help you quit smoking for good.”
For more information on any of these programs, call 1-800-586-4872 or visit Lung.org.
