GREEN COUNTY — Thursday, Nov. 18 is the 2021 Great American Smokeout — an initiative of the American Cancer Society. Green County Public Health encourages residents to join people across the country in quitting tobacco. 

In Green County 19% of adults smoke, where as 17% of adults smoke statewide. In Wisconsin 7,900 adults die from smoking-related illnesses each year. Additionally, 22% Green County high school students report using vaping products in the past 30 days. 

“Tobacco is a very addictive substance that causes a variety of health issues,” said Jaime Batz, Green County Public Health Nurse. “Quitting can be difficult, but it is possible, and there are resources available to help people quit.” 

Quitting smoking can be a long process, and success will look different for different people. There are many ways to quit smoking, and some work better than others. For assistance to help quit smoking call the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669). Additional information and resources are available on the Green County Public Health website. 

Quitting smoking is associated with numerous health benefits. After 1 to 2 years, the risk of heart attack for a person who used to smoke drops dramatically; after 5 to 10 years, risk of certain cancers is cut in half; and after about 15 years, a person’s risk of heart disease close to that of a non-smoker. 

To stay up to date on all things Green County Public Health please monitor the Green County Public Health website and Facebook page.