FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Contact: Stefany Strong, PIO, 386-274-0838

Tobacco Free Florida Can Double Your Chances of Quitting Smoking

- Tobacco Users in Volusia County are encouraged to make a quit plan during the Great American Smokeout -

Volusia County, Fla. – On Thursday, November 20, 2014 the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County and Tobacco Free Florida are encouraging tobacco users to make a plan to quit smoking as part of the Great American Smokeout.

The Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is currently in its 39th year. The observance raises awareness about the dangers of smoking and the many effective resources available to successfully quit. Throughout Volusia County, schools, businesses and community groups are encouraging people to quit smoking on the Great American Smokeout.

"Volusia County has a higher percentage of adult smokers than any of our surrounding counties" said Dr. Bonnie J. Sorensen, director of the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County. "Now is a good time to quit."

While quitting tobacco is difficult, it is not impossible. There are more former smokers in Florida than there are current smokers. Those who have tried to quit in the past but relapsed are encouraged to try again. Many former smokers have made several attempts before quitting permanently.

"There are free, evidence-based resources readily available for Floridians to increase their chances of successfully quitting tobacco" said Tobacco Free Florida Bureau Chief Shannon Hughes. "These resources can be the start of a healthier life for you, your family and your community."

Tobacco Free Florida offers 3 Free and Easy Ways to Quit:

• CALL: Call the Florida Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW to speak with a Quit Coach who will help assess a user's addiction and help create a personalized quit plan.

• CLICK: Enroll in the Web Coach, which will help to create a web-based quit plan unique to each individual user, visit https://www.quitnow.net/florida.

• COME IN: Sign up for group classes at your local Area Health Education Center (AHEC) by calling 1-877-848-6696 or visiting www.ahectobacco.com.

Since 2007, more than 93,400 Floridians have successfully quit using one of these free services. For more information, please visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com.

ABOUT TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA

The Department's Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida's tobacco settlement fund.

Tobacco users interested in quitting are encouraged to use one of the state's three ways to quit. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida and the state's free quit resources, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. During 2014, the Department is recognizing 125 years of public health in Florida with educational opportunities and events. Please visit www.FLHealth125.gov for more information.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.

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