According to recent statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nearly 18 percent of adults ages 18 and older currently smoke.
To put this statistic into perspective, there are more than 17,000 people living in Hermiston, meaning that it can be estimated that 3,204 of residents could be smokers – a staggering and sobering statistic.
On Nov. 19, 2015, Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) will be participating in the Great American Smokeout, a day-long event developed by the American Cancer Society (ACS) to help those in communities across the nation know that there is a support system available if they want to quit.
“On Nov. 19, we’re encouraging and supporting our community of smokers by asking them to quit for a day, and giving us a chance to help them quit for a lifetime,” said GSHCS Education Director Juli Gregory. “We have a full day event planned. Beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m., in the main entrance lobby and the pharmacy lobby, community members from throughout Umatilla and Morrow counties are encouraged to come to GSHCS for a free tobacco cessation kit, and free tobacco cessation counseling. Community members will also learn about smoking cessation resources, such as tobacco cessation specialists available through GSHCS.”
According to the ACS, tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States (U.S.), yet about 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes – a bit under one in every five adults. And if you add in the e-cigarettes (also known as vaping) into the mix, it is estimated that about 10 percent of U.S. adults now vape – taken from a recent Reuters/lpsos poll of 5,679 Americans conducted between May 19 and June 4, 2015.
“By quitting – even for one day – smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing their risk of cancer!” said Gregory. “This is also a step toward GSHCS launching our smoke and tobacco free campus initiative on Dec. 1, 2015. We want to provide the best healing environment for our patients, physicians and staff to be able to provide the best care possible without having to worry about compromising their own health.”
For more information about the Great American Smokeout, visit the Good Shepherd website, and for resources available at Good Shepherd Health Care System to aid you to quit smoking, call 541-667-3502.
GRAPHIC COURTESY OF GSHCS
