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Jeffco gears up for Great American Smokeout

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Contributed by: Erin Feese/YourHub.com on 11/10/2008

Quitting smoking is not easy, but the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment wants tobacco users to know they don't have to go through it alone. JCDHE is participating in the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 20 to raise awareness about effective ways to quit.

The Great American Smokeout is a national initiative started by the American Cancer Society and traditionally takes place on the third Thursday in November. Tobacco users are encouraged to quit for the day or quit for life. According to the American Cancer Society, people who plan their quit day in advance double the odds of quitting forever.

Donna Viverette, tobacco prevention program coordinator for JCDHE, said the tobacco prevention team is teaming up with several businesses in Jefferson County on Nov. 20 to offer support to employees who want to quit.

For instance, Jefferson County employee can participate in the "Adopt-a-Quitter" challenge. If the quitter wants to remain anonymous, only the adopter needs to register, Viverette said. If the quitter makes it through the day without using tobacco, both the quitter and adopter will be entered to win a $20 gift card.

Similar incentives are being offered to Jefferson County bus drivers and employees at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, Viverette said.

Schools are also getting involved. Local students have participated in trainings to be part of Breathe Easy, or BE teams, to raise awareness in their schools about tobacco-related deaths and marketing targeted toward youth, said Jeremy Vann, youth tobacco control specialist.

High schools such as Lakewood, Golden and Wheat Ridge plan to have activities, handouts and resources available on Nov. 20.

"It's to raise awareness for students using tobacco and help them feel supported," Vann said.

Viverette said there are new technologies out there specially targeted toward young people to help them quit, such as www.fixnixer.com, which allows people to personalize a quitting plan and receive text message reminders.

JCDHE promotes the availability of free and low-cost resources, such at the Colorado Quit Line, Viverette said. The Quit Line offers five session of phone coaching, available in English or Spanish, and it includes access to free nicotine patches if you are 18 or older, she said.

For more information on Jeffco's tobacco prevention program, call 303-275-7555 or go to www.co.jefferson.co.us/health.

UP NEXT
What: Getting Ready to Quit Class designed to help people address questions about what it takes to quit successfully. The class will offer the latest research on effective quitting strategies and resources.
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 13
Where: Exempla Lutheran Medical Center conference room F, 8300 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge
Cost: Free
More info: Call 303-275-7565

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