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Be Tobacco Free - Live Like Your Life Depends On It!

Choosing to be tobacco-free could be one of the most important decisions you ever make. Quitting smoking will help you live a longer, healthier life, as well as help, protect the health of your family and friends. Giving up smoking can be difficult, but a tobacco-free lifestyle offers many benefits – benefits that will last a lifetime.

When you quit smoking - the health benefits begin almost immediately.

  • 20 minutes after quitting:

    Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.

  • 12 hours after quitting:

    The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

  • 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting:

    Your circulation improves and lung function increases.

  • 1 to 9 months after quitting:

    Coughing and shortness of breath decrease. The cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.

  • 1 year after quitting:

    Your increased risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

  • 5 to 15 years after quitting:

    Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.

  • 10 years after quitting:

    The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.

  • 15 years after quitting:

    Your risk of coronary heart disease is the same of that of a non-smoker.

Take your first steps toward becoming tobacco-free

Whether you are thinking about quitting, are not yet ready to quit, or have already quit, Quitline Iowa can help you with each step of the way.

Free, Convenient, Safe & Secure

Connect with your personal quitting coach today. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit quitlineiowa.org for more information.

Click here to view the full infographic.

Teens - you are not alone!

Is vaping controlling you?

  • What would you gain if you quit? Take back your money & time.
  • There is a resource just for you! Start Your Quit Today. Text “Start My Quit” to 855.891.9989 or call. It’s that easy!
  • Learn more at mylifemyquit.com. Free help, just for teens.

Henry County Youth Data

From the 2018 Iowa Youth Survey, using 11th grade responses.

  • Past 30 day cigarette use: Henry County=9%   Iowa=6%
  • Past 30 day e-cigarette use: Henry County=26%   Iowa=22%
  • Past 30 day alcohol use: Henry County=25%   Iowa=20%
  • Past 30 day binge drinking: Henry County=16.1%   Iowa=8.9%
  • Past 30 day marijuana use: Henry County=13%   Iowa=10%
  • Felt sad or hopeless more than 2 weeks in past year: Henry County=34%   Iowa=33%
  • Thought about killing self in past year: Henry County=26%   Iowa=26%
  • Had a plan to kill self in past year: Henry County=15%   Iowa=13%

Tobacco Free Living

Chris Kempker, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator, 319.385.8126, kempkerc@iastate.edu

The Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control works to reduce tobacco use and the toll of tobacco-caused disease and death by preventing youth from starting, helping adults and youth to quit, and preventing exposure to secondhand smoke.

We Focus On:

Quitline Iowa

Helping Henry county residents and worksites to become smoke free and tobacco free.

Quitline Iowa offers tobacco cessation coaching services over the telephone or the Internet, 24 hours a day.

For more information about Quitline Iowa, visit quitlineiowa.org or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is offering eight weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the form of patch, gum or lozenge to Iowans over the age of 18 that would like to quit using tobacco and use Quitline Iowa services.

Quitline now offers cessation counseling to youth ages 12-17.

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. That is why we help multi unit housing complexes, worksites, and schools develop smoke free policies that help prevent any exposure to secondhand smoke.

Smoke Free Air Act

What is the Iowa Smokefree Air Act? In the spring of 2008, Iowa lawmakers passed legislation to protect most Iowans from Secondhand Smoke. The Smokefree Air Act prohibits smoking in almost all public places and enclosed areas within places of employment, as well as some outdoor areas. The law applies to: restaurants, bars, outdoor entertainment events and amphitheaters. It also covers places of employment such as office buildings, health care facilities, and child care facilities. Smoking is allowed on the gaming floor of a licensed casino, as well as designated hotel and motel rooms. Visit smokefreeair.iowa.gov to learn more.

Smoke Free Housing

The IDPH has developed a website to help residents locate properties are smoke free. The site is continually being updated as managers are learning that almost 80% of renters prefer to live in smoke free environments. Visit smokefreehomes.iowa.gov to find properties in your county.

If you would like help making all or part of your property smoke-free please call 319.385.8126.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Worksites

As more and more businesses are realizing the importance of the overall wellness of their employees, many worksites are working to add smoke free policies, as well as providing smoking cessation services to their employees. By doing this they are realizing how this helps in productivity, reduced absenteeism, and insurance costs. They know the health and well being of their employees is of utmost importance in having a successful business. To learn more visit www.cdc.gov

If you would like help making your business completely smoke and/or tobacco free please call 319.385.8126.

Now that smoking and tobacco use is at an all time low in our country, new products are being developed that are addicting a new generation. Electronic cigarettes are being used in rates by both adults and youth. Much research is still needed to be done to determine the long term health effects of these products. One thing is known, they do contain nicotine and therefore they are addictive. To learn more click here.

Parents – download this tip sheet to learn how to talk to your kids about e-cigarettes.