Quitting smoking, vaping, and other tobacco related products is an important step you can take to improve your health.
Nicotine addiction can make it hard to quit, but there are proven treatments that can help. Whether you are thinking about quitting or ready to quit now, the Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) can help you on your journey.
Benefits of Quitting
Quitting tobacco and vaping products:
- Improves health status
- Reduces risk for many adverse health effects, including poor reproductive health outcomes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cancer.
- Enhances quality of life
- Even has benefits for people already diagnosed with coronary heart disease or COPD
- Reduces risk of premature death, adding as much as 10 years to your life expectancy
- Improves the health of pregnant women and their babies
- Saves Money
Quitting smoking protects family members, coworkers, friends, and others from the health risks associated with breathing secondhand smoke.
Time To Quit
Ready to quit but not sure where to start? Not sure if you are ready? The Illinois Tobacco Quitline can help. Go to the website for information and tips on quitting or call the hotline. The Illinois Tobacco Quitline (ITQL) provides free tobacco and vaping cessation services to all Illinois residents 13 years of age and older.
Call WCHD’s Tobacco Prevention Specialist at 815-720-4000 and let us help you begin your journey, or utilize the resources listed below:
Illinois Resources:
Illinois Tobacco Quitline
Call: 1-866-784-8937
Go Online To: www.quityes.org
Online Resources:
CDC
Information and information on quitting for better health.
Smokefree.gov
Free online information and Tools & Tips to get smoke-free and stay smoke-free.
Texting & Apps:
SmokefreeTXT
The Text and Phone App Programs are offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s National Cancer Institute’s Smokefree.gov
Receive encouraging Text Messages daily to support you in quiting smoking and a “keyword” you can use when you need extra support. Those ages 13 years and older can sign up.
To sign up, text QUIT to 47848
or go online to: SmokefreeTXT Enrollment (https://smokefree.gov/tools-tips/text-programs/quit-for-good/smokefreetxt) and complete a form.
quitSTART
GET THE quitSTART App
A free smartphone app that helps you quit smoking with tailored tips, inspiration and challenges.
