Contact:
Maria Pereira Villa, B.A.

Health Educator Consultant

(407) 723-5244

Maria.PereiraVilla@flhealth.gov

ORLANDO, FL– With the annual Great American Smokeout taking place November 19, Tobacco Free Florida in Orange County is using observance to encourage people to make a plan to quit smoking using the free tools and services available to Floridians.

Tracing its history back more than 40 years, the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout marks a date when smokers are encouraged to use the date to either make a plan or to begin their quit journey.1 Quitting smoking can add up to 10 years to life expectancy.2 The health benefits of quitting smoking include reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke, improving lung function and lowering the chances of getting an array of different cancers.3,4 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adds that smoking may increase
your risk of severe illness related to COVID-19.5

In addition to a healthier body, quitting smoking can lead to a healthier wallet. One year after quitting smoking, a former pack-a-day smoker can save over $2,200, based on today’s prices. Over five years, this adds up to a savings of over $11,000.6

"The Great American Smokeout is a wonderful opportunity for individuals who want to quit smoking and improve their health,” said Dr. Raul Pino, Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. “I encourage them to reach out to Tobacco Free Florida because they have many programs and ways to assist them in order to live a smoke free life.”

Information on the history of the Great American Smokeout, national activities to support quitting and other materials can be found at https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/great-american-smokeout.html. Tobacco Free Florida’s quit tips, tools and more are available by visiting www.tobaccofreeflorida.comor by calling 1-877-U-CAN-NOW.

About Tobacco Free Florida

The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. Since the program began in 2007, more than 234,000 Floridians have successfully quit using one of Tobacco Free Florida's free tools and services. There are now approximately 451,000 fewer adult smokers in Florida than there was 10 years ago, and the state has saved $17.7 billion in health care costs. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida’s Quit Your Way services, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.comor follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFloridaor on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.