SHOW A TOBACCO USER A LITTLE LOVE ON VALENTINE'S DAY...URGE THEM TO CALL THE GEORGIA TOBACCO QUIT LINE

Released on = February 11, 2005, 11:20 am

Press Release Author = Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR)

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) is urging Georgia residents to help their loved ones quit tobacco by calling the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line (1-877-270-STOP/1-877-2NO-FUME).

Press Release Body = ATLANTA – Did you know that the first Valentine dates back to the 1400s? Did you know approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period? Did you know every year about 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged and 8 billion Conversation Hearts are sold? What better time to reach a smoker with a caring message of health and well being than during the month of Valentines!

Every February, we celebrate Valentine's Day by giving flowers, candy, and cards to those we love. This year, the Georgia Department of Human Resources is urging
Georgia residents to help their loved ones quit tobacco by calling the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line (1-877-270-STOP/1-877-2NO-FUME).

"We feel Valentine's Day is a good time to reach Georgia tobacco users or loved ones wanting their parents, children or significant others to quit tobacco," said Kenneth Ray, DHR Tobacco Use Prevention Program manager. "Sometimes hearing it from a loved one or friend can make all the difference."

The Georgia Tobacco Quit Line is a toll-free resource that offers counseling, screening and support services to Georgians ages 13 and older wanting to quit
tobacco. The Quit Line recently extended its operating hours from 8 a.m. to midnight daily (EST) to make it more convenient for Georgia tobacco users to get the help they need. A youth services component also was added to the Quit Line in the fall of 2004 to assist Georgia teens ages 13 to 17, the ages when youth usually start smoking.

Tobacco places a considerable disease burden on Georgia each year. More than 11,000 Georgians die yearly from tobacco-related illnesses (4,200 die from cancer; 4,200 die from cardiovascular diseases; 2,600 die from respiratory diseases) – more than all the deaths from alcohol, cocaine, heroine, AIDS, murder, suicide, auto accidents and fires COMBINED. Twenty-six infants die every year because their mothers smoked during their pregnancy.

Adult smokers account for $1.8 billion in annual healthcare costs to the state of Georgia. Additionally, $2.9 billion dollars in productivity costs is lost due to
smoking employees and $9 million in infant healthcare costs are attributed to smoking.

Take the Healthy Georgia Promise…Be Tobacco-Free, Eat Smart, Be Active and Get Checked. For more information on TUPP, visit www.health.ga.us or to learn more about the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line, call 1-877-270-STOP/1-877-2NO-FUME.

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Web Site =

Contact Details = For information, contact:
Demetrius Parker, (404) 656-4937
dmparker1@dhr.state.ga.us