CALHOUN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The American Cancer Society marks the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November each year by encouraging smokers to use the date to plan to quit, or to go the entire day without smoking.
This year’s Great American Smokeout will be held on Thursday, November 17. In honor of this day, the Calhoun County Public Health Department is hosting a cigarette clean-up event. Staff will be cleaning up cigarettes and trash around the Toeller Building, Justice Center, and at Monument Park in Battle Creek on Thursday, November 17 from 12:30-1:30.
Event organizers say the purpose of the event is to encourage current smokers to take the first step in quitting tobacco, and to show the community the effects smoking cigarettes has on both personal health and the environment.
In addition, CCPHD is encouraging community members to participate and clean-up cigarettes and other trash near their homes and place of business.
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in Michigan, killing more than 16,200 residents each year.
But despite declining numbers, the introduction of electronic vapor products more than makes up for the decline in cigarette usage. In 2019, an
estimated 31.2% of Michigan high schoolers reported using some form of tobacco product, including e-cigarettes.
The Michigan Tobacco Quitline is an evidence-based service that provides free telephone coaching for the uninsured, pregnant women, Medicaid and Medicare recipients, veterans, cancer patients, and American Indians. Free nicotine replacement therapy is available to those who qualify. The Quitline provides services including materials, text messaging, online programs, and referrals for all Michigan residents.
Providers can refer their patients to the Quitline, and individual tobacco users can contact the Quitline directly at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) or enroll online at https://michigan.quitlogix.org/
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