Mason County

Health Department

 

 

Health Education

Tobacco

 

According to the World Health Organization:

* Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the world.

* Tobacco is the only consumer product that kills when used as intended by its manufacturers.

* Tobacco causes 1 in 10 adult deaths worldwide.

* Tobacco causes nearly 5 million deaths a year, or one death every 6.5 seconds.

* The current death toll will nearly double by 2020 if current trends continue.

* Total global smoking prevalence is 29%. By gender, 47.5% of men and 10.3% of women smoke.

* Tobacco kills 50% of its regular users. Of the 1.3 billion smokers alive today, 650 million will eventually be killed by tobacco. Of them, 325 million between the ages of 35 and 69.

* 900 million smokers, or 84% or the world total, live in developing and transitional economy countries.

* By 2030, 70% of deaths attributable to tobacco will occur in the developing world.

* 100 million deaths were caused by tobacco in the 20^th century. If current trends continue, there will be one billion deaths in the 21^st century.

 

 

MCHD is here to help you Break the Habit

 

* Break the Habit aids smoking cessation and provides nicotine replacement patches to Mason County residents though collaboration with the Illinois Tobacco Quitline.

* Illinois Tobacco Quitline provides counseling and support for those who want to quit smoking.

Are you ready to quit smoking? Call:1-866-QUIT YES (1-866-784-8937)

The staff at the Illinois Tobacco Quitline offers encouragement and support throughout the quitting process. Calling and registering with the Quitline also allows you to get nicotine replacement patches free from the health department. 

Helping a Smoker Quit: Do’s and Don’ts for Family & Friends

* Do respect that the quitter is in charge. This is their lifestyle change and their challenge, not yours.

* Do ask the person whether he/she wants you to call or visit regularly to see how he/she is doing. Let the person know that it’s okay to call you whenever he/she needs to hear encouraging words.

* Do help the quitter get what she/he needs, such as hard candy to suck on, straws to chew on, fresh veggies cut up and kept cold in the refrigerator, etc.

* Don’t offer advice. Just ask how you can help with the program they are using.

* Do spend time doing things with the quitter to keep his/her mind off smoking Go to the movies or take a walk to get past a craving (what many call a nicotine fit.)

* Do help the quitter with a few chores, some child care, cooking–whatever will help lighten the stress of quitting.

* Don’t take the quitter’s grumpiness personally during his/her nicotine withdrawal. The symptoms will pass in about two weeks.

* Do celebrate along the way. Quitting smoking is a BIG DEAL