(Versailles, Ind.) – November is known for two types of turkey: the kind at the dinner table on Thanksgiving and going cold turkey.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Thursday is the Great American Smokeout. The 36th annual nationwide smokeout encourages smokers to take the first steps towards quitting.
An estimated 46 million adults in the United States currently smoke and 23 million of those adults will die prematurely. The Indiana Department of Health says 4,166 Hoosiers died of lung cancer in 2008, the most recent year with a full data set.
Thankfully, there are services to aid Hoosiers in dropping the habit.
“People who quit smoking before the age of 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years by half compared to those who continue to smoke,” said State Health Commissioner Gregory Larkin, M.D. “The Indiana Tobacco Quitline is a great resource for smokers of all ages. By simply calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, Hoosiers who smoke are provided with resources and support to help them quit for good.”
The Ripley County Health Department will give out “cold turkey” sandwiches at the Courthouse in Versailles from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday.
LINKS:
Indiana Department of Health - http://www.in.gov/isdh/
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