Nebraska Tobacco Quitline offers free cessation aids

McCOOK, Neb. -- Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department is encouraging tobacco users to take advantage of a special offer from the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline.

The Quitline will mail directly, a no-cost, two-week supply of nicotine gum, patches or lozenges, to any Nebraska resident over the age of 18 who is ready to quit tobacco.

In order to take advantage of this no-cost offer, tobacco users must enroll in the Nebraska Tobacco Quit Line, complete one coaching session with a trained Quit Coach and be medically eligible to receive the medication. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) to access the Nebraska Tobacco Quit Line. This offer is available through Jan. 31 while supplies last.

"In our health district 21 percent of residents are smoking and 8 percent are using smokeless tobacco," shares Myra Stoney, SWNPHD Executive Director. "We would like to see these numbers reduced to meet the Healthy People 2020 goals of 12% or less smoking and smokeless tobacco use down to 0.3%."

Between 2009 and 2013, 6,113 Nebraska residents were diagnosed with lung cancer, while 4,491 Nebraskans died from it. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services an estimated 20 million persons have died because of smoking, which is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability and death in the United States.

For assistance in signing up on the Quitline, contact Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department at 308-345-4223. SWNPHD is located at 404 West 10th Street, McCook -- one block north of Arby's. Additional information can be found on our web site www.swhealth.ne.gov. You can also follow us on Facebook.com/swnphd and Twitter@swpublichealth.