Mile Square launches new smoking cessation program
WHAT:
On the same day that the American Cancer Society marks the Great American Smoke Out, the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Mile Square Health Center will launch its new smoking cessation program, Mi-QUIT. The free, six-month program, helps Mile Square patients who want to reduce the amount they smoke or kick the habit for good use resources provided by the Illinois Tobacco Quitline, a tobacco-cessation support hotline and website run by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the American Lung Association of Illinois. The program is supported by a grant from the March of Dimes and by the University of Illinois Cancer Center.
Speakers from the University of Illinois Cancer Center will discuss the new program and staff will be available to enroll smokers in Mi-QUIT.
WHERE:
Mile Square Health Center, 1220 S. Wood Street.
WHEN:
Nov. 20, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
WHY:
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States, but an estimated 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — about 1 in 5 adults. As of 2012, there were also 13.4 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.3 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.
Smoking is linked to a significantly increased risk for lung, cervical, mouth, throat and other cancers. Smokers also have higher rates of COPD and asthma.
DETAILS:
Smokers who enroll in Mi-QUIT will be assigned a navigator from the University of Illinois Cancer Center who will help the enrollee define their smoking cessation goals, provide educational materials, answer questions, and help them use the Illinois Tobacco Quitline. Starting in January, Mi-QUIT will provide additional educational materials related to the effects of smoking before and after pregnancy to women of childbearing age.
For more information on Mi-QUIT or to enroll, contact Karriem Watson at (312) 413-8908 or kswatson@uic.edu
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