HONOLULU – Each year, the third Thursday of November is recognized as the Great American Smokeout, a day that encourages those who smoke to commit to healthier, smoke-free lives. This year, the event will be held on Thursday, November 21, and to support this initiative, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health is encouraging island residents to use this date to quit for a day and to develop a quit plan with assistance from free resources such as the Hawaiʻi Tobacco Quitline or My Life, My Quit Hawaiʻi programs.
“The Great American Smokeout provides those who smoke an important opportunity to set a date to quit and make the choice to embrace a healthier, smoke-free lifestyle,” said Lola Irvin, Department of Health Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division Administrator. “The Hawaiʻi Tobacco Quitline and My Life, My Quit Hawaiʻi are here to support adults and teens that use all tobacco types – including cigarettes and vapes. Adults can receive free nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges and extra support with specialty pregnancy and mental health programs by enrolling in the phone program.”
This year Great American Smokeout events are taking place throughout Hawaiʻi. Some of the events include:
Oʻahu – The Great Waiʻanae Smoke Out: The Great Waiʻanae Smoke Out hosted by Wai‘anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, will take place November 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Great Lawn of the organization’s Upper Campus. This year’s theme, “Clear the Air: Protect What Matters,” focuses on the impact of secondhand and thirdhand smoke on loved ones and the environment. Attendees can pledge to quit smoking or vaping with support from the Tobacco Cessation team and receive free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and quit kits. Those who quit for the day will also earn a $5 Mākeke Wai‘anae Market gift certificate. Additionally, participants can visit activity stations to gain entry into several prize drawings. Event highlights include a Lung Age Meter, Smokelyzer (measures the amount of carbon monoxide in breath), and Blood Pressure & Heart Rate Checks, and Smoker vs. Non-Smoker Lungs Display where you can feel the difference smoking makes on lung health.
Hawaiʻi Island – Big Island Substance Abuse Council Tabling at Schools: The Big Island Substance Abuse Council (BISAC) plans to hold tabling events at various Hawai’i Island schools. Throughout the event, BISAC will distribute “Just HA and Breathe Easy” kits, with 50 kits available per school on a first-come, first-served basis. Each kit includes educational materials on the risks of smoking and benefits of quitting. Students who complete a brief survey on vaping and smoking rates will be entered to win a $25 Visa Gift Card.
To support those looking to quit smoking and vaping, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health recently launched two new campaigns – Escape the Vape Hawaiʻi’s “Toxic Remains” and the Hawaiʻi Tobacco Quitline’s “Rough Day.” These campaigns aim to break the cycle of addiction and build a nicotine- and tobacco-free Hawaiʻi.
The “Toxic Remains” campaign focuses on Hawai‘i teens (13-18) who may be tempted by or currently use vapes. It highlights the harmful chemicals hidden in flavored vapes and encourages teens to look beyond flashy flavor names and packaging to see the serious health risks that vapes pose. The “Rough Day” campaign speaks to adults (18+) who turn to tobacco to cope with mental health challenges, showing how the Hawai‘i Tobacco Quitline can support them through the rough days without nicotine.
The Hawaiʻi Tobacco Quitline aims to reach Hawaiʻi adult smokers who are 18 years and over by motivating and driving those who use tobacco products, including vapes to enroll in cessation services. It also provides a free confidential and convenient telephone and online service to help individuals quit tobacco and vaping. To reach this service, text 1-800-QUIT-NOW or call 1-800-784-8669. For Hawai‘i teens that would like to quit smoking or vaping, the Hawai‘i Tobacco Quitline continues to offer “My Life, My Quit Hawaiʻi,” a free and confidential program with trained coaches to help youth up to 17 years-old quit smoking or vaping. Teens can sign up by calling 1-855-891-9989. Teens, parents, guardians, and health care providers can also visit http://www.mylifemyquit.com for more information.
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About Escape The Vape Hawai‘i
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health launched Escape the Vape Hawaiʻi in January 2020 to discourage teen vape use by delivering scientific facts that are relevant, motivating, and appropriate for teens. The campaign utilizes messaging and images that are uniquely relevant to Hawai‘i teens to shift their perception of risk around vaping while also reducing social appeal. “Toxic Remains” is the ninth ad to run under Escape The Vape Hawai‘i.
About Hawaiʻi Tobacco Quitline
The Hawaiʻi Tobacco Quitline provides a free tobacco cessation program based on proven strategies that have helped more than 41,000 Hawaiʻi residents on their quit journey. Their coaches and online community provide the support needed and connect people to resources like counseling and nicotine quit medications. Whether you’re ready to quit today, just curious about quitting, or supporting a loved one who uses tobacco, the Quitline can help.
The post Ready to Quit? The Great American Smokeout Sparks a Fresh Start for Island Residents first appeared on Hawaii: In Real Life.