Free Resources to Help New Mexicans Quit Smoking
Health Secretary Encourages New Mexicans to Make a Plan to Quit
The American Cancer Society's annual Great American Smokeout® on Thursday, November 19, 2015 is a day when smokers across the nation make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day. The Department of Health wants to encourage New Mexicans who smoke or use tobacco products to utilize free services available that provide helpful tools to quit and remain smoke and tobacco free.
“Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward, MPH. “The free services offered by the Department of Health’s quit lines and online programs are proven strategies that can double, even triple a tobacco-users chance to successfully quit.”
In New Mexico, about 2,600 people die each year from smoking and another 42,000 people suffer with at least one serious smoking-related illness. People who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk for disease and premature death. Although the health benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, cessation is beneficial at all ages.
Tobacco users can access free medications, including patches, gum and lozenges, and free counseling and text messaging support through the statewide toll-free quit lines. 1-800-QUIT-NOW and 1-855-DEJELO-YA offer telephone-based tobacco cessation services in English and Spanish. Web-based services through Quit Smoking Now and Dejelo Ya are another way that tobacco users can connect to free help. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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