Monday, March 19, 2012

Smokers Urged to Quit during Kick Butts Day



Van Buren YLC Encourages Smokers to Kick the Deadly Habit


Wednesday, March 21st is a day for smokers nationwide to unite and kick the deadly habit of smoking. The Van Buren County YLC members encourage smokers to quit for a lifetime by starting with just one day.

Today more Americans than ever understand the dangers associated with tobacco use and a record 46 million adults have kicked the habit and are now former smokers. Still, one and four adults are current smokers, and lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death. This year in Iowa more than 1,790 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and more than 1,700 will die from the disease.


Smoking remains the most preventable cause of death in the U.S., but there are resources available to help people quit. Quitline Iowa utilizes science-based resources that double a caller’s chances of quitting for good, including trained tobacco cessation specialists available 24 hours a day. If you’re serious about quitting or helping someone else quit, call 1.800.QUIT NOW (1.800.784.8669) and ask for help.


The Van Buren YLC members spent Friday cleaning up the city park in Keosauqua in preparation for kick butts day. The members received permission from the city council and have asked them to make this a smoke free area in the community. Secondhand smoke is dangerous for young children and should not be allowed in an area where kids play. The students filled two- gallon zip lock baggies with cigarette butts found in the park. They also picked up trash and other debris they found littering the playground area. The YLC members will put their findings on display in the Community First Bank window to remind the community of the dangers of secondhand smoke and encourage those who use tobacco to quit! They also hope that their hard work will motivate people to refrain from smoking while in the city park and more importantly to carry out any trash when visiting the park. For more information about the YLC program or their initiatives check them out on the web http://ylc.vbsafecoalition.com or you may contact us at 319-293-6412.

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