Hoosiers are urged to kick the habit of smoking as part of today’s Great American Smoke Out. The American Cancer Society encourages smokers to at least make a plan to quit in order to improve their health and reduce their risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
State health officials say the number of adult smokers has fallen since 2011, but more than 1 million Hoosier adults still use tobacco. That’s 20 percent of Indiana’s adult population that’s still at risk of cancer and chronic disease.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams says quitting smoking improves the health of everyone in your home, including unborn babies.
Officials say smoking accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths, including the large majority of lung cancer deaths in both men and women.
Hoosiers can receive free help in quitting tobacco by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visiting www.QuitNowIndiana.com.
To learn more about lung cancer in Indiana and what you can do to lower your risk, refer to the Indiana Cancer Facts and Figures report on the Indiana Cancer Consortium website .
To learn more about the Great American Smokeout, visit the American Cancer Society’s website. Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #GASO.
