Commit to Quit on World No Tobacco Day for a Healthier, Cleaner Oklahoma
For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
Thomas Larson
ThomasL@tset.ok.gov
(405) 642-6860
Event focuses on educating the public on the health and environmental damage of tobacco
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 26, 2022) — May 31 is World No Tobacco Day, a global event that educates on the harmful impact of tobacco, which kills more than 8 million people each year. This year, Tobacco Stops With Me, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), encourages Oklahomans to reflect on the damage caused by the tobacco industry, which pollutes the planet and harms the health of Oklahomans.
“Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in Oklahoma, and it further harms our state with toxic pollution,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “World No Tobacco Day offers an important opportunity to consider the extraordinary damage the tobacco industry causes. We hope it inspires Oklahomans to take advantage of the free resources TSET provides to all who want to quit tobacco, for their health and the health of the entire state.”
Tobacco poisons water and soil, produces toxic waste that harms the environment and contributes to higher air pollution levels. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), harmful chemicals from discarded tobacco products, including cigarette butts, are a significant source of environmental damage and a threat to human health and wildlife.
Tobacco Stops With Me supports all Oklahomans trying to quit tobacco with free services from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline. Quit Coaches are available 24/7 to help Oklahomans create individual quit plans suited to their needs. Registrants may also receive free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges as additional support.
Since 2013, more than 470,000 Oklahomans have used the Helpline’s resources. If you are thinking about quitting tobacco, call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit OKHelpline.com for free, nonjudgmental support.
Role models also play a critical role in youth tobacco use and can save young people from a lifetime of addiction. Studies show that children of smokers are twice as likely to begin smoking between the ages of 13 and 21.
If your child is struggling with tobacco or vape use, My Life, My Quit is a TSET program offering teens ages 13 to 17 a variety of free tools to help them quit. Each teen is helped by trained staff via text, phone or web-based coaching. Teens can enroll online or learn more about the program at MyLifeMyQuit.com or text 36072 for real-time coaching.
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The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, cultivating innovative and life-changing research and working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health. To learn more, go to Oklahoma.gov/TSET.
Tobacco Stops With Me is a statewide campaign, funded through the Tobacco Settlement Trust, that provides an efficient, emotional and highly recognizable tobacco-free message for Oklahomans to rally around. By educating the public about the negative effects and impact of tobacco, the goal of Tobacco Stops With Me is to prevent and reduce tobacco use and improve the health and quality of life of every Oklahoman. Tobacco Stops With Me aims to inspire individuals to make positive changes — not only for their own health, but for the health of the entire state as well. Free resources and more are available at StopsWithMe.com.
The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a free service for Oklahomans wanting to help themselves, loved ones, patients or employees live tobacco free. Funding is primarily provided by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline has served more than 470,000 Oklahomans since 2003 and has been ranked among the top quitlines for reaching tobacco users seeking treatment for the last 10 years by the North American Quitline Consortium. Find more information is available online at https://OKhelpline.com.
My Life, My Quit is a free program to help Oklahoma teens, ages 13-17, quit tobacco and e-cigarettes. By offering free live texting, web chat and phone calls, My Life, My Quit supports teens through the steps of quitting tobacco. Funded by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, these free services for Oklahoma teens can be found at MyLifeMyQuit.com or by texting “Start My Quit” to 36072.