Stop Smoking

Real Talk

Did you know that, in comparison to other ethnic groups, Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders have one of the highest smoking rates compared to others?

Sad but true, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Asian Americans/ Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. In fact, Hawaiian men and women have the highest rates of lung cancer deaths in comparison to other ethnic groups.

And it’s not just cigarettes. Nationally, the current use of e-cigarettes/vapes was highest among native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders at 18%. In Nevada that rate was 30.7%. It isn’t just adults either. According to the National Youth Tobacco Surveys 32.5 % of Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander high school students reported current tobacco use compared with 23% of white high school students surveyed, 15.8% of blacks, 19.6% of Hispanic high school students and 7.4% of Asians.

Furthermore, during 2014–2017, ever-use of any tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students was as follows: Native Hawaiians/ Pacific Islanders (45.1%), Native American and Alaskan Natives (43.8%), multiracial persons (38.2%), Hispanics (35.1%), blacks (32.3%), whites (32.0%), and Asians (16.3%). Current use of any tobacco product was as follows: Native Hawaiians/ Pacific Islanders (23.4%), Native American and Alaskan Natives (20.6%), multiracial persons (16.5%), whites (15.3%), Hispanics (14.6%), blacks (11.5%), and Asians (5.0%).

We can reverse this trend. We need to quit smoking and vape use today.

Health Benefits of Quitting

What to Expect

Some health benefits begin almost immediately. Every week, month, and year without tobacco further improves your health.

Within 20 minutes of quitting: Your blood pressure and pulse rate drop to normal and the temperature of your hands and feet increases to normal.
Within 8 hours of quitting: Your blood carbon monoxide levels drop, and your blood oxygen levels increase to normal levels.
Within 24 hours of quitting: Your risk of a sudden heart attack goes down.
Within 48 hours of quitting: Your nerve endings begin to regrow. Your senses of smell and taste begin to return to normal.
Within 2 weeks to 3 months of quitting: Your circulation improves. Walking becomes easier. Your lungs work better. Wounds heal more quickly.
Within 1 to 9 months of quitting: You have more energy. Smoking-related symptoms, such as coughing, nasal congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath improve. You will have fewer illnesses, colds, and asthma attacks. You will gradually no longer be short of breath with everyday activities.
Within 1 year of quitting: Your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of someone still using tobacco.
Within 5 years of quitting: Your risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder cancers are reduced by half.
Within 10 years of quitting: Your risk of dying from lung cancer is about one half that of a person who still smokes.

10 Reasons to Quit

Your breath, clothes, and hair will smell better.
Your sense of smell will return. Food will taste better.
Your fingers and fingernails will slowly appear less yellow.
Your stained teeth may slowly become whiter.
Your children will be healthier and will be less likely to start smoking.
It will be easier and cheaper to find an apartment or hotel room.
You may have an easier time getting a job.
Friends may be more willing to be in your car or home.
It may be easier to find a date. Many people do not smoke and do not like to be around people who smoke.
You will save money. If you smoke a pack a day, you spend about $2,000 a year on cigarettes.

Making the Decision to Quit

Quitting tobacco is difficult, especially if you do it alone.

The Nevada Tobacco Quitline is a FREE phone-based service available to Nevada residents 13 years or older.

The program provides confidential one-on-one coaching sessions and nicotine replacement therapy such as patches, gum, or lozenges, for qualified individuals. Expert coaches will help you develop a quit plan and aid with overcoming common barriers such as dealing with stress, fighting cravings, coping with irritability, and controlling weight gain. Coaches will determine if you’re eligible to receive the nicotine replacement therapy.

Coaching and quit medications combined gives you the best chance of quitting. Specialized programs available for pregnant & postpartum women, commercial tobacco users and individuals with chronic disease. Expert coaches will be caring, understanding, and use strategies that will work for you.

The Quitline Call Center at 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669) offers FREE services in multiple languages and is open 7 days a week 4 a.m. – 10 p.m. PST, to help you quit cigarettes or any tobacco product including vapor products. Web support is provided through www.NevadaTobaccoQuitline.com.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) from a Nevada Area Code

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