Newton Community Partnership: Great American Smokeout and Smoking in Newton County

By Sarah Grant, MPH, CHES

Chronic Disease Educator and Lifestyle Coach,

Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments

What’s It All About?

The Great American Smokeout was based on an awareness event in 1970 that encouraged cigarette smokers to give up smoking for a day and donate the money they would have spent on cigarettes to a scholarship fund. The American Cancer Society eventually declared the 3rd Thursday of November each year to be the Great American Smokeout, which brings awareness to the health-related, social, and economic impact of smoking (and other tobacco use) in this country.

The Stats

Smoking causes an estimated 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths. In Newton County, 20% of adults smoke (County Health Rankings). Besides the more evident diseases caused by smoking--like lung cancer, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)--smoking increases risk of heart disease, stroke, reproductive issues, diabetes, and blindness (American Lung Association). In addition, being a current or former cigarette smoker increases the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 (ALA).

Someone may say, well, I don’t smoke; I vape or use e-cigarettes! However, nicotine-based e-cigarettes also cause addiction and can serve as a gateway to other risky behaviors, particularly among youth. E-cigarettes can damage the brain and lungs, especially in teens; the full long-term effects are still under investigation (CDC). Someone else may say, I don’t smoke, but I live with someone who smokes. Secondhand smoke contributes to numerous health problems in infants, children and adults who inhale the toxic chemicals found in cigarettes, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems, cancer, and even death. In addition to the health risks, smoking is financially costly. Smoking a pack of cigarettes per day can cost the individual about $2000 per year!

The Good News

The good news is that at whatever stage someone decides to quit smoking, there are health benefits! Heart rate and breathing can start improving within minutes and days; risk of the chronic conditions previously mentioned decreases over several years. Although quitting smoking is something that can be a struggle, there ARE national and local resources available to help. The American Cancer Society website gives guidance on making a plan to quit, in learning about the different treatment options, and working through the mental aspect of tobacco addiction. The Georgia Tobacco Quit Line has staff available 24/7 for support; callers may also qualify for a 4-week supply of nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), gum, or patch. Piedmont Hospital will start a new round of virtual tobacco cessation classes in January and February 2022; there is no charge to register!

If medication cost is a barrier, please visit Newton Community Action Network for information about medication assistance as well as other social services. Local organizations like CHANCE Newton and The Council on Alcohol on Drugs offer counseling, mentorship programs, and other services. Visit the Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments’ Community Health page for other resources about tobacco use prevention, as well as our other community programs. If you smoke or know someone who does, make Thursday, November 18th, “Day 1” of the smoking cessation journey!