Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease. On November 1, 2024, Governor Pillen signed a proclamation recognizing Tobacco Cessation Awareness Week from November 17 to 23, 2024 focusing attention and resources across the state to support Nebraskans on their journey to becoming tobacco-free. In 2023, 12.1% of Nebraska adults and 2.2% of Nebraska youth smoked cigarettes. Today, nearly seven out of 10 adults who smoke report they want to quit.
“Over the past 21 years, the Nebraska Quitline has answered over 100,000 calls from Nebraskans seeking help to quit tobacco,” said Governor Pillen. “This resource is a valuable tool for Nebraskans who are seeking to quit tobacco for good and take effective steps to live a healthier life both mentally and physically.”
Tobacco Free Nebraska, the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline, the American Cancer Society, and other partners across Nebraska are teaming up to promote the Great American Smokeout, also known as GASO. Each year on the third Thursday of November, this event encourages people who smoke to commit to a tobacco-free lifestyle. GASO challenges people to stop smoking and helps inform people about the many tools they can use to help them quit – and stay quit.
“Quitting is hard, but Nebraskans do not have to do it alone,” said Nebraska Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Timothy Tesmer. “People who use any type of tobacco, including cigarettes, chew or vapes, are twice as likely to have a successful quit if they utilize counseling and quit medication. Both resources are available for free through the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline.”
The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline offers free and confidential phone, web, or texting-based coaching along with free quit medication starter kits including nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges at no cost to Nebraskans trying to quit tobacco. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or visit www.QuitNow.ne.gov to connect with a trained quit coach or to see if you are eligible for free quit medication. The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish-speaking participants can call 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (3535-3569). Translation services are available in over 200 languages.