Today is the Great American Smoke out, the day traditionally set aside to encourage smokers to kick the habit. Tonia Moore, Director for the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living said they’ve seen a large increase in the number of tobacco sales this year.
“We saw about 23-million packs of cigarettes sold in March and close to that number in April when compared to the previous year where we’re looking at about 16 to 17-million packs,” said Moore.
Moore said in 2019, 21-percent of adults in the Bayou State use cigarettes. They anticipate stress from the events of 2020 has most likely caused even more to pick up the habit or increase the amount they smoke.
Smoking is also a factor that exacerbates several preexisting conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease which are health conditions that make it difficult to battle COVID, so there’s no better time to quit than now.
Moore said there’s free help with the 1-800-Quit Now phone line.
“It is free to all Louisiana residents who are 13 years of age and older. It’s available 24 hours a day seven days a week,” said Moore.
Moore said the Quit Now phoneline also offers a texting feature with free counseling and another reason to take advantage of the program…
“And the Quit Line is currently offering two weeks of some type of nicotine replacement therapy,” said Moore.
Moore also recommends that you follow up with your physician when you begin a smoke attempt.
For smoking cessation resources, call 1-800-Quit-Now or visit QuitWithUsLA.org.
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