Advocacy Groups Unite for Smoking Cessation Awareness Week

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

By: Ashmar Mandou

This week, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), along with more than two dozen local groups, united under the same belief: “Nobody Quits Like Chicago.”

Recognized as a national leader in smoking cessation, Chicago now holds low smoking rates among youth and adults. The City of Chicago, for the first time, sponsored a week tailored around smoking cessation that included public education initiatives across Chicago.

“Chicago is making huge progress in the fight against tobacco, but there are still thousands of local smokers that we hope to reach through this campaign,” said CDPH Commissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D. “Our partners in this effort are dedicated to ensuring that every smoker in our City knows there resources available to help quit –and to quit for good.”

Other activities included a teleconference with the Mental Health Summit, a roundtable hosted by the American Cancer Society and a fundraiser to support tobacco cessation programs. “Chicago is leading the nation when it comes to reducing tobacco use,” said Mayor Emanuel. “This week is the latest example of our collaborative efforts to both help adults kick the habit and ensure our youth never start in the first place.”

Smokers are urged to talk with their doctor or healthcare provider about help quitting, call the Illinois Tobacco Quit line at 866-QUIT-YES for free cessation resources and visit, www.QuitYes.org and www.MyTimeToQuit.com for additional tools.

Comments are closed.