St. Joseph Health Department provides tool to quit tobacco products

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Quitting tobacco can be hard due to the highly addictive stimulant nicotine. November is Lung Cancer Awareness month, and smoking is a huge contributor to the disease.

According to the CDC, cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths in the United States.

The Missouri Tobacco Quit Service is a resource for all Missourians seeking to quit their tobacco habit.

"Just look up on the internet, type in Missouri quit line, and it'll go right to that. And then it just has directions on it that take you right to how to sign up. You can even sign up for a family member,” St. Joseph Health Department Health Educator Kay Smith said.

The program will bring smokers looking to quit to the website, youcanquit.org, where services like coaching, quit plans and nicotine replacement therapy will be available.

On the My Life My Quit website, personalized private coaching sessions for teens are offered, which they can access through their online devices.

Smith urges all tobacco users to give the service a try to help improve their lives.

"Once you stop nicotine, you will start to breathe better at between two and three weeks after you stop altogether, you'll notice you'll start to breathe better," said Smith.

There are also more individual sources that are available for American Indians and pregnant women seeking help.