Let’s Get Serious About Cessation

According to the Logan County Community Health Assessment, approximately 26% of the adult population within the county uses tobacco products. Tobacco isn’t just found in cigarettes, it is also found in chewing products, cigars and pipes. The Ohio Department of Health estimates that cigarette smoking causes 1 in every 5 deaths each year, and that it can take years off your life by raising the risks of heart disease, stroke, cancer of most organs in the body, and serious lung diseases such as emphysema.

Not only is tobacco physically unhealthy, it’s also financially unhealthy. According to research done at The Ohio State University, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes in Ohio is $6.00. Smoking a pack, a day in Ohio means an estimated cost of $2,190.00 per year on cigarettes. This amounts to roughly $182.50 a month. Unfortunately, those aren’t the only financial costs. The Ohio State University health insurance costs more for tobacco users, averaging out to almost $1,500.00 more per year than those who do not use tobacco.

What could you do with an extra $182.50 a month in your pocket? The Ohio Tobacco Quitline provides personal quit coaching and telephone counseling free of charge to ALL Ohioans. The program is customized to each person and is self-paced. Did I mention that its FREE?!

Want to learn more about the Quitline and start your tobacco free journey? You can reach them at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit https://ohio.quitlogix.org/en-US/.

By Morgan LaPrete, Logan County Health District’s Health Educator

September 2022