(Mason City) – The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Cerro Gordo County, and Cerro Gordo Students for Tobacco Education and Prevention (CG-STEP) are working together to encourage smokers to take a break for the day on November 15, 2012. The Great American Smoke Out (GASO) is a designated day to quit smoking. Quitting even for a day can make a difference. It can be a big step towards improved health for the tobacco user and those subject to their second hand smoke. As early as 24 hours after quitting, a tobacco user’s chance of a heart attack begins to decrease. Within eight hours of not smoking, the carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal.
This year’s focus in Cerro Gordo County is all about creating one more opportunity to QUIT. The Tobacco Partnership works year around to provide cessation opportunities and resources and in recognition of the Great American Smoke Out, will offer these opportunities in November:
- Free Fresh Start classes designed to help tobacco users make a plan to quit – offered through Kaplan University.
- Tobacco cessation and education resources at Southbridge Mall Monday, November 12 – Saturday, November 17, 2012.
- Tobacco Partnership Representatives will be discussing options for tobacco cessation and distributing cessation tools at Southbridge Mall Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 4-6 PM.
- Youth-led tobacco prevention campaign at Southbridge Mall Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 2-3 PM.
“Quitting is more than just not smoking. For most people it takes a number of attempts to achieve success. Cold turkey works for some, while a lot of creativity goes into a quit plan for others. We encourage people to keep trying and to stay educated on the various opportunities available for cessation,” states Penny McCaslin, Tobacco Program Manager for the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. Visit any of the upcoming Great American Smoke Out opportunities to begin your quest to a smoke free life.
Contact the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health’s Tobacco Program Manager, Penny McCaslin (641) 421-9329 or the American Cancer Society (641) 422-9055 for more information.
