The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and more than 40 local advocacy groups and organizations are hosting the 2nd annual “Nobody Quits Like Chicago: Smoking Cessation Awareness Week,” to raise awareness of cessation resources available for residents to help them quit smoking. A full schedule of events for the week is available at hashtag #ChicagoQuits on social networks and at www.CityofChicago.org/TOBACCO.

Mayor Emanuel has issued an official proclamation, commemorating August 17-21 as Smoking Cessation Week in Chicago. A kick-off event was held at Mile Square Health Center, 1220 South Wood Street in Chicago, on Monday. The event highlighted Mi-QUIT, a free, six-month smoking cessation program at the health center that helps pregnant women who want to reduce the amount they smoke or kick the habit for good.

CDPH will raise awareness of the Illinois Tobacco QuitLine, 866-QUIT-YES, a FREE resource for tobacco users who want to quit. Nurses, respiratory therapists and certified tobacco-treatment counselors are on-call 7 days a week, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. to answer tobacco-related questions and provide the support for individuals seeking wanting to quit smoking.