Louisiana Public Health Institute
FACT:
In Louisiana, one out of every 2 children are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes.

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The Louisiana Campaign
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Great American Smoke-Out on November 17 Encourages Smokers to Quit For a Day

On November 17, smokers across Louisiana will be encouraged to quit for a day in recognition of the American Cancer Societys annual event, Great American Smoke-Out. The Louisiana Campaign For Tobacco-Free Living offers smokers an opportunity to quit for good by calling the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline, 1 (800) QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

For Louisianas nearly 1.1 million smokers, quitting is the most important step they can take to improve the length and quality of their lives. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term health benefits including a reduced risk for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in Louisiana. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer alone will claim an estimated 2,930 lives in Louisiana in 2005.

A cigarette is the only legal product that kills through normal use, says Kesia Walker, New Orleans Area Regional Coordinator of the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living. Nicotine addictions are extremely powerful. The chances of conquering the addiction and quitting greatly increase when smokers receive professional help combined with the support of family and friends.

For Louisiana smokers who want to find out they can quit, help is just a phone call away. The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline, 1 (800) QUIT-NOW, offers free, confidential cessation counseling to Louisiana residents, ages 15 and older. Certified cessation counselors are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to help callers develop personalized quit plans and set target dates for quitting.

When appropriate, Louisiana Tobacco Quitline counselors also refer callers to free group therapy classes in their area of the state. Callers may receive up to five callbacks from counselors to help them stay on track, and pregnant smokers may receive up to eight callbacks.

1 (800) QUIT-NOW is free and accessible for anyone who wants to quit smoking, adds Walker. Instead of picking up that next cigarette, we hope smokers pick up the phone to seek help quitting through the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline, 1 (800) QUIT-NOW.

The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline is operated by the American Cancer Society and funded by The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, an affiliated program of the Louisiana Public Health Institute.

The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living provides statewide coordination of existing tobacco control initiatives, funds innovative community programs for tobacco control, and develops statewide media campaigns to help reduce the excessive burden of tobacco use on the states resources and improve the overall health and quality of life. For more information on creating a smoke-free environment where you live or work, call toll-free 1-866-I-AM-4-TFL (1-866-426-4835) or visit www.tobaccofreeliving.org.

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