To the Editor:
On April 1, the federal cigarette tax will increase by 62 cents. This increase should provide yet one more good reason for Ohioans to quit smoking.
According to this year’s U. S. Surgeon General’s Report on The Health Consequences of Smoking, we now know smoking harms virtually every organ in the body. In addition to lung cancer, heart attacks and stroke, cigarette smoking has been found to cause coronary heart disease, ulcers and cancers to the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas.
However, there is good news - quitting smoking has immediate and long-term health benefits, regardless of your age, or how long and how much you’ve been smoking.
As a physician, I know that making the decision to quit, and sticking to it is hard. Fortunately, today smokers don’t have to rely on willpower alone. Research shows support such as that offered by the Ohio Tobacco Quitline can help smokers significantly increase their chances of quitting successfully. This help may come from family and friends, health care providers, counseling programs or through mediation such as the nicotine gum, patches or lozenges.
Ohioans who want to stop smoking can get immediate help by calling the Ohio Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) here they can get free advice and counseling on how to stop and participate in a free Two Week Nicotine Patch program.
The Quitline is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Callers may also leave a message 24 hours a day, seven days a week and request a call-back time that is convenient for them.
Most smokers want to quit and the tax increase may be the impetus for many to finally make a quit attempt. Every smoker deserves the emotional, practical and medical support they need to do so successfully.
Alvin D. Jackson, M.D.
Director
Ohio Department of Health
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