Many Kansans are making New Year’s resolutions to quit using tobacco in 2014 and Barton County Health Department is encouraging them to get free help and support from the Kansas Tobacco Quitline online www.KSquit.org or by phone 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Starting the New Year with fresh resolution and a decision to quit tobacco has a tremendous impact on the future health and well-being for anyone. Not only does their chance of sudden heart attack drop immediately after quitting, but each person will be able to breathe easier. Stopping tobacco use can also dramatically help families to save money for the most important dreams in their lives-- homes, cars, vacations and education for children.
According to the American Lung Association, smoking contributes to 80 percent and 90 percent of lung cancer deaths in women and men. Lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in the United States. “Calling the Quitline and getting the help of professional coaches can help any tobacco user quit for good and change the course of their life” said Janel Rose, Chronic Disease Risk Reduction Coordinator for Barton County Health Department.
When Kansans are ready to quit tobacco, the Kansas Tobacco Quitline is ready to help online www.KSquit.org or by phone 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669). The Quitline is a service provided at no cost to Kansas residents. Enrollment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except major holidays) online or by phone. A Quit Coach™ works with participants during emails, live chats or one-on-one phone calls to prepare for a quit date and create a plan to fight cravings and face other challenges. Studies have found that using a tobacco Quitline can more than double a person’s chances of successfully quitting tobacco.   
For more information about quitting tobacco use and Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR), contact Janel Rose, Barton County Health Department. Central Kansas Partnership CDRR Task Force is a coalition that is working Barton, Rice, Stafford Counties to reduce tobacco use and its deadly effects. Central Kansas Partnership has information on how to help reduce tobacco use and help people who use tobacco to quit.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Tobacco Use Prevention Program manages the Kansas Tobacco Quitline and provides resources and technical assistance to community coalitions for development, enhancement and evaluation of state and local tobacco prevention initiatives. For additional information on the Kansas Tobacco Use Prevention Program visit www.kdheks.gov/tobacco.