Ready, Set, Stop

Organized by the American Cancer Society, smokers across the nation participate in the Smokeout. The idea is to use the date as a marker to either plan to stop smoking or to plan in advance and use the date to stop smoking all together. Whatever the plan, November 17 will be the date you succeed in being one step closer to a tobacco-free life.

Here are some tips to get started. Challenge yourself. The Great American Smokeout is designed to encourage smokers to utilize the tools and knowledge provided to quit for good. Today, an estimated 42 million Americans smoke. There is help out there to quit smoking and plenty of health reasons to do so. Check out the information on this page, and use it as a great stepping off point.

Understand the risks. As scary as they are, statistics are the truth. Your health is a priority. You don’t want to risk a long-term problem for short-term enjoyment.

Join a stop-smoking support group. They have them both in person and online. Do whatever works for you. A support group can help you identify your triggers and find ways to limit them.

Get counseling. The Tobacco Free Partnership of Marion County coordinates tobacco prevention efforts throughout the county. This group’s primary goal is to provide the necessary tobacco education and intervention early on to Marion County residents. Visit tfp-marion.org/news or call (352) 359-5383 for more information. For Citrus County residents, visit tobaccofreeflorida.com/county/citrus or call (352) 527-0068, ext. 304.

Get inspired. Self-help books are available at almost any local bookstore. Check out these titles at your local bookstore or on Amazon: Allen Carr’s Easy Way To Stop Smoking by Allen Carr or Overcoming Your Smoking Habit by David Marks.

Ask for help. Lean on your family or friends for moral support and encouragement. For many, quitting isn’t easy. Visiting tobaccofreeflorida.com/quityourway offers more options to those seeking help. By calling Tobacco Free Florida at (877) U-CAN-NOW you can speak with a trained Quit Coach. The Text2Quit program lets you receive tips, games and reminders with practical advice and encouragement on your phone. Call Group Quit at (877) 848-6696 to

Named the leading cause of preventable disease, tobacco is a contributing factor in one out of five deaths. Don’t be a statistic. Sources:

Quitting tobacco isn't easy. Finding help should be. Tobacco Free Florida offers free tools and services to help you get started.

Quitting tobacco isn't easy. Finding help should be. Tobacco Free Florida offers free tools and services to help you get started.

CLASS SCHEDULE

CLASS SCHEDULE

Quitting tobacco isn't easy. Finding help should be. Tobacco Free Florida offers free tools and services to help you get started.

CLASS SCHEDULE

FREE Nicotine replacement patches, gum and lozenges* .

FREE Nicotine replacement patches, gum and lozenges* .

Quitting tobacco isn't easy. Finding help should be. Tobacco Free Florida offers free tools and services to help you get started.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Nicotine replacement patches, gum and lozenges* .

*While supplies last and if medically appropriate.

*While supplies last and if medically appropriate. FREE Community, worksite and clinic groups offered.

*While supplies last and if medically appropriate. FREE Community, worksite and clinic groups offered.

Programs cover all forms of tobacco.

FREE Community, worksite and clinic groups offered.

FREE Nicotine replacement patches, gum and lozenges* .

Programs cover all forms of tobacco.

Programs cover all forms of tobacco.

*While supplies last and if medically appropriate. FREE Community, worksite and clinic groups offered.

Is the in-person option of Tobacco Free Florida Quit Your Way services.

GROUP QUIT

Is the in-person option of Tobacco Free Florida Quit Your Way services.

Programs cover all forms of tobacco.