MONROE — November is American Diabetes Month, an annual observance that bring attention to the type 2 diabetes, which affects more than one in 10 Wisconsin adults — with one in three Wisconsin adults also at risk for developing it. 

This year, the Southwest Alliance for Tobacco Prevention coalition wants to remind the public that smoking is one of the leading risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and that quitting can help lower your risk, or if you have diabetes, help you better manage the disease. 

People who smoke are 30 to 40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those that do not, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, people with diabetes who smoke are more likely than nonsmokers to encounter difficulties with insulin dosing and managing their disease. 

Free resources are available to help tobacco users quit. People who are ready to be tobacco-free can call the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT NOW (784-8669). If they’re on Medicaid, they can also talk to their doctor about the free support provided by the Medicaid Cessation benefit.

Individuals can also reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes by regularly checking their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, being physically active, maintaining a healthy diet and taking medicines as prescribed by their doctor. 

For more information on tobacco prevention and control efforts in your county, contact the Southwest Alliance for Tobacco Prevention at debtfk@aol.com or like us on Facebook.