×

Father’s Day a great day to quit smoking

Father’s Day is a day to celebrate dads and the important role they play in the lives of their families and children. It’s also a great day to encourage men to celebrate a tobacco-free life, and to support current tobacco users in their efforts to quit.

Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death and disease in Michigan, and unfortunately nearly 22 percent of men in Michigan still smoke cigarettes. However, research shows that seven in 10 adult cigarette smokers want to quit completely. Tobacco contains nicotine, a highly addictive drug. Most tobacco users are addicted to nicotine, which can make quitting difficult. Many people may need to make several quit attempts in order to be successful, but tobacco users can and do quit. In fact, today there are more former than current smokers.

This Father’s Day, Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties encourages everyone to help dads to live tobacco-free. When people stop smoking, they greatly reduce their risk for disease and early death. There are benefits to quitting at any age, and a person is never too old to quit.

Encourage dads who use tobacco to talk to their healthcare provider or to call the Michigan Tobacco Quitline. As a special promotion, all callers to the Quitline who enroll now through Sept. 30 will receive free coaching and eight weeks of nicotine replacement medications to assist them in quitting. Call the Michigan Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or visit online at https://michigan.quitlogix.org/.

Fathers can also help their children by maintaining a smoke-free home and car, talking to kids about the dangers of tobacco use, including the use of e-cigarettes, and helping their children to understand the marketing of tobacco products that targets young people.

On Father’s Day, and each day, dads set a good example for their children and loved ones by not using tobacco and by protecting their children from exposure to secondhand smoke. For dads who are struggling with quitting tobacco use, help is available.

For help with quitting tobacco use, talk with your healthcare provider or contact the Michigan Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-784-8669.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today