By Elizabeth Ferguson
Wayne County Public Health

This Thursday, November 21, is the Great American Smokeout, a nationwide event dedicated to encouraging smokers and other nicotine product users to quit for at least one day, and ideally for life. This event was first hosted by the American Cancer Society in 1977. Cigarette smoking has been linked to various health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It is never to late to quit, its one of the greatest steps you can take to improve your health. Within 20 minutes of quitting, a person’s heart rate and blood pressure return to normal. After a year, the risk of heart disease is half that of a current smoker. After 15 years, the risk of heart disease is the same as a person who has never smoked. 

Quitting smoking is a journey, not a race and one of the biggest challenges is overcoming the addiction to nicotine. Take it day by day and remind yourself why you are choosing to quit. Practice the 4 D’s of quitting smoking, deep breathing, drink water, delay, and do something else. Try doing deep breathing exercises and drinking water to lessen the cravings. Delay smoking, or do something else to distract yourself from the craving. 

There are numerous resources available to aid in your quit journey. The New York State Quitline is a free and confidential program that offers free Nicotine Replacement Therapy such as patches, and allows you to chat, text, or call a quit coach. Visit nysmokefree.com, call 1-866-697-8487, or text (716)309-4688. 

 Wayne County Public Health also offers a free and confidential nicotine cessation program. Our program allows you to meet with a quit coach once every 2 weeks for up to 6 months and receive free Nicotine Replacement Therapy, such as gum, lozenges, or patches. To learn more visit our website at wcphny.com or contact us at (315)946-5749 or via email at wcph@waynecountyny.gov