Panama City, Fla. – With the annual Great American Smokeout taking place November 19, Tobacco Free Florida in Bay County is using this observance to encourage people to make a plan to quit smoking using the free tools and services available to Floridians.

Tracing its history back more than 40 years, the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout marks a date when smokers are encouraged to use the date to either make a plan or to begin their quit journey.[1]

Quitting smoking can add up to 10 years to life expectancy.[2] The health benefits of quitting smoking include reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke, improving lung function and lowering the chances of getting an array of different cancers.[3]^,[4] The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adds that smoking may increase your risk of severe illness related to COVID-19.[5]

In addition to a healthier body, quitting smoking can lead to a healthier wallet. One year after quitting smoking, a former pack-a-day smoker can save over $2,200, based on today’s prices. Over five years, this adds up to a savings of over $11,000.[6]

Employers across Bay County can also use the Great American Smokeout as a time to encourage employees who smoke to consider quit plans. In addition to the health benefits, businesses also stand to gain when employees quit.

A recent report found that an employee who uses tobacco can cost his or her company thousands of dollars each year in health costs, distraction at the worksite, increased medical costs, higher insurance and other expenses.[7] Employees who smoke are much more prone to absenteeism than those who don’t, with even former smokers who quit within the last three years costing employers an average of $1,327.53 less each year.[8]

 “We’ve known for years about the serious impact tobacco has on business, on lives, and on families,” said Tobacco Prevention Specialist, Bonnie Steelman. “That’s why Tobacco Free Florida makes available for all Floridians services like Web Quit, Phone Quit and Group Quit and nicotine replacement therapy – all completely free and regardless of insurance. There are so many great reasons to quit – and the Great American Smokeout provides a perfect time to help someone begin their quit journey.”

Information on the history of the Great American Smokeout, national activities to support quitting and other materials can be found at https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/great-american-smokeout.html. Tobacco Free Florida’s quit tips, tools and more are available by visiting www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or by calling 1-877-U-CAN-NOW.

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About Tobacco Free Florida

The Florida Department of Heath’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. Since the program began in 2007, more than 234,000 Floridians have successfully quit using one of Tobacco Free Florida's free tools and services. There are now approximately 451,000 fewer adult smokers in Florida than there was 10 years ago, and the state has saved $17.7 billion in health care costs. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida’s Quit Your Way services, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.

[1] "History of the Great American Smokeout." American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/great-american-smokeout/history-of-the-great-american-smokeout.html. [accessed 10 August 2020.]

[2] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014. [accessed 10 August 2020.]

[3] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS). (2014). Let's Make the Next Generation Tobacco-Free: Your Guide to the 50th Anniversary Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health (Consumer Booklet). Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health. [accessed 10 August 2020.]

[4] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A Report of the Surgeon General. How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: What It Means to You. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2010 [accessed 2020 August 10].

[5] “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): People with Certain Medical Conditions. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html#smoking. [accessed 2020 August 27.]

[6] “State Excise and Sales Taxes Per Pack of Cigarettes Total Amounts & State Rankings.” Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/factsheets/0202.pdf [accessed 2020 August 10.]

[7] Berman, Micah & Crane, Rob & Seiber, Eric & Munur, Mehmet. (2013). Estimating the cost of a smoking employee. Tobacco control. 23. 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2012-050888. [accessed 2020 August 12.]

[8] Baker, Christine L. JD, MPH; Bruno, Marianna PharmD, MPH; Emir, Birol PhD; Li, Vicky W. MPH; Goren, Amir PhD Smoking Cessation Is Associated With Lower Indirect Costs, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: June 2018 - Volume 60 - Issue 6 - p 490-495

doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001302 [accessed 2020 August 10.]