Tobacco use is a powerful addiction and trying to kick the habit is a difficult proposition. On average, a person will try seven times before quitting for good. The fact is too many Tennesseans use tobacco and as a result die prematurely. This is unacceptable and has to stop.
Lung cancer, one of many health complications from smoking, was the number one cancer killer in Tennessee, killing more than 4,000 Tennessee residents in 2005 and making up one-third of all cancer deaths. Tobacco use also can lead to premature delivery, low birthweight babies and infant mortality.
Oftentimes, women will do for others what they will not do for themselves. They take better care of themselves during pregnancy, because they know it can mean the difference in the health of their baby. They make sure their children and husband get regular check-ups. They take their mom to the doctor to offer support. Unfortunately, at the bottom of the long list of priorities is their own health and wellness.
Quitting smoking is one of the single best things a woman can do to improve her health and the health of her family. The benefits of quitting smoking are significant and almost immediate. Within 20 minutes of giving up tobacco, elevated blood pressure and pulse decrease; in two days, nerve endings regenerate; in two weeks, circulation improves; in one to nine months fatigue and shortness of breath decrease; and in one year, the risk of a heart attack is cut in half.
With advances in medicine and research, there is help to quit. The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine offers free, personalized support to stop the use of tobacco products, including cigarettes and chew tobacco. Tobacco users who live in Tennessee are paired with a personal quit coach and receive additional materials to help put down the tobacco for good. When a tobacco user calls the QuitLine, the person is assigned a dedicated quit coach who works with the individual over the telephone to help develop personalized plans for tobacco use cessation that meet the caller's particular needs. To ensure consistency, individuals participating in the program work with the same quit coach over a 12-month period.
The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine has experienced a surge in call volume as enforcement of the Non-Smokers Protection Act approaches. The workplace smoking ban, which will make it illegal to smoke in virtually all places people work, was passed in May 2007 and from that time through August 2007, more than 2,600 Tennesseans called the state tobacco cessation program for help to kick the habit. This is more than double the total number of calls received since the program launch in August 2006. Total number of calls received has surpassed 4,600.
Join others who feel now is the time to quit for good. We have to begin to take personal responsibility to improve our individual health. If indeed the impending ban serves as motivation to quit tobacco use, we can count it a victory for all Tennesseans.
For more information on the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine access the Web site online at http://health.state.tn.us/tobaccoquitline.htm or call 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669). Learn about the workplace smoking ban by visiting the Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/smokefreetennessee/ .
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User Comments
I agree that smoking is harmful to one's health. I agree that people should be encouraged not to smoke. I do not agree that the government has the right to decide if people should smoke.
I don't smoke cigarettes, but to paraphrase a comment I heard "I don't see you pushing back from the table really fast fat boy!"
Again, I agree that cigarettes is bad for a person; however, the government does not have the right to infringe upon each person's decision to smoke or not ... provided the ill effects are minimized to others. I support the idea of not allowing smoking in any room where "No Smoking" is claimed or posted, but I do not support the idea that a smoking establishment can not be open to the public.
If we fully support your argument, we should quit drinking, gambling (including the lottery), overeating, and unlawful (unmarried) sex, among other things. I would very much like to see all those enforced. Maybe we should add a kitchen and bedroom monitor in every house. It seems that people can not be reasonable on any topic these days ... including smoking.
I agree. The government must take a more hands off approach on the legal personal freedom of others.
I agree. I firmly believe the government must take a hands-off approach on the legal personal freedom of the people.
No one said you should quit smoking. The new law only requires a safe work place and a healthy place to eat.
The Restaurant Association knew this would come someday, and they could have avoided it by ensuring smoke was controlled. A few restaurants made good efforts, most made efforts to insult non-smokers, who are a majority.
Therefore the majority made health laws to control the smoke. The government did not make this decision, they were forced my a majority of citizens, over special interest and money, to write this new law.
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