South Heartland District Health Department

Need Help Quitting?

December 03, 2024

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Why Quit Smoking?

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. Smoking harms nearly every organ in your body, leading to serious conditions like heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory problems. By quitting, you'll significantly reduce your risk of these health issues, improve your lung function, and increase your life expectancy. Additionally, quitting smoking can improve your quality of life by boosting your energy levels, enhancing your sense of taste and smell, and saving you money. Most importantly, quitting smoking helps protect the health of those around you by reducing their exposure to harmful secondhand smoke.

• Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, and at least 69 are known to cause cancer (CDC)
• Smoking harms almost every organ in the body and is the main cause of lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or COPD
• Smoking-related diseases claim more than 480,000 lives in the US each year (CDC)

Ready to Quit?

Though the Great American Smokeout is officially only one day a year, it's never too late to start! Check out their website to help you get started.

Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act

The purpose of the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act is to protect public health by reducing exposure to harmful substances from both tobacco smoke and electronic smoking devices, including vaping, in indoor public spaces.

To report a smoking violation, complete the Clean Indoor Air Act Complaint Form on the DHHS website or contact South Heartland.

Smoking

Smoking has been proven to cause lung cancer. But you can quit now and reduce your risks.

• 19.2% of adults in the SHDHD district reported they smoke cigarettes, which is significantly higher than the Nebraska state average of 13.0% (BRFSS 2022)

E-cigarette/Vapes

Vaping devices are very popular in young people. No tobacco products, including e-cigarettes are safe, especially for children, teens, and young adults.

• In 2022, 9.6% of adults in the SHDHD district reported using e-cigarette or other electronic vaping products, a significant increase from 2018 (BRFSS 2022)

• 10.5% of high school students in the SHDHD district reported using an e-cigarette or other electronic vaping product in the past 30 days (YRBS 2023)