Quit smoking in the new year

Gov. Mike DeWine, joined by state health officials, is offering resources for those looking to quit using tobacco products in the new year."As Ohioans make their new year's resolutions, they can't go wrong with a commitment to quitting smoking or vaping," DeWine said in a prepared statement. "There are state resources available for those looking to quit, including a program specifically for teens. Individuals can also contact their healthcare provider for help. The evidence is clear, quitting could save your life."Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, and Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, OhioHealth senior vice president and chief medical officer, have joined the governor in the cessation effort.The Ohio Tobacco Quit Line provides personal "quit coaching" and telephone counseling free of charge to all adult Ohioans. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. For Ohioans younger than 18, call or text My Life, My Quit at 1-855-891-9989. The free program allows teens to reach a coach using live text messages or online chat.DeWine also signed into law a provision to increase the legal minimum age to give, sell, or distribute tobacco and other nicotine products from 18 to 21. The law went into effect in mid-October."Cigarette smoking health risks include cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)," said Melissa Campbell, Huron County Public Health program coordinator/planner. "Besides nicotine, e-cigarette aerosol can contain substances that harm the body, which includes cancer-causing chemicals and tiny particles that reach deep into lungs."In young people, nicotine can interfere with brain development, which can continue until about age 25. The amount of nicotine in certain vape liquids can be as much as an entire pack of cigarettes. Youth are more susceptible to becoming dependent on nicotine and it can create powerful addiction pathways."The following treatments are proven to be effective for smokers who want to quit: Brief help by a primary care doctor (doctor offering patient advice and assistance about quitting); individual, group, or telephonic counseling," Campbell said. "Medications for quitting have been found to be effective: Nicotine replacement products (nicotine patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, nasal spray) and prescription medications (Chantix and Zyban).Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths across the U.S. According to the Ohio Department of Health, an estimated 21 percent of adults in Ohio are smokers and about 7,000 Ohioans die from lung cancer each year."At OhioHealth, we see first-hand how vaping and tobacco use present real dangers to the health of our community and create far too many emergency visits," Vanderhoff said. "We commend the efforts of Gov. DeWine, Dr. Acton and the Ohio Department of Health to educate the community about these dangers and provide additional resources to help individuals address their addiction."Communities and health providers across the state can play an important role in helping people lower their risk of lung cancer by providing resources to their residents and patients.Some of the health benefits associated with quitting smoking include a lowered risk for lung cancer and many other types of cancer, reduced heart disease risk, reduced risk of developing lung diseases and reduced risk of infertility, Campbell said."(A benefit of stopping is) reduced respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath," Campbell said. "While these symptoms may not disappear, they do not continue to progress at the same rate among people who quit compared with those who continue to smoke."Lives can be saved by reducing minors' access to tobacco, helping people avoid second-hand smoke and encouraging those at high risk for lung cancer to get screened early, health officials said.Local resources for quitting smoking include:• Couples, Children, Family, Individual Counseling, LLC — 440-839-2200• Family Life Counseling and Psychiatric Services — 567-560-3584• Fisher-Titus Medical Center — 419-660-4311• Haven Hypnosis — 419-577-8484• Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities — 419-668-8840 ext. 1444• Village Counseling and Associates — 419-921-8347Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.