Tobacco
We have known for the last 50 years that people who smoke cigarettes are much more likely to develop – and die from-certain diseases than people who don’t smoke. More than 20 million Americans have died because of smoking since the first Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health was issued in 1964. Most of the deaths were adults who smoked, but 2.5 million were nonsmokers who died because they breathed secondhand smoke. Scientists have identified more than 7000 chemicals in tobacco smoke. At least 70 of them are known to cause cancer. Along with many kinds of cancer smoking is also linked to stroke, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, reproductive health issues, COPD, TB, asthma and other respiratory diseases and many other conditions.
The Upper Missouri District Health Unit (UMDHU) Tobacco Prevention program is funded annually through a grant provided by the North Dakota Department of Health. Our local tobacco prevention program is responsible for implementing the state tobacco prevention plan within the four counties we serve; Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail and Williams.
North Dakota’s comprehensive tobacco prevention goals are to reduce tobacco use and its health and economic consequences by using policies and programs proven to keep kids from starting to use tobacco, help tobacco users quit, and to protect the public from secondhand smoke exposure. UMDHU works with school administration, businesses, multi-unit housing properties, parks and recreation areas, local city/county officials, law enforcement, hospitals and health clinics to promote a healthy lifestyle free from tobacco.
Our efforts to reduce tobacco use in Northwest North Dakota are not over. Due to our industry driven economy, our demographics are proven to have higher tobacco use rates then other areas of the state.
To learn more information on local North Dakota tobacco prevention visit BreatheND.com
If you are ready to quit using tobaccoThere is more than one way to quit tobacco. No single method of quitting works for everyone. NDQuits offers several FREE options so you can find the way that works best for you. All NDQuits services include free counseling, advice and support and free nicotine replacement products for those who qualify.
Check out the following ways you can receive advice and support to help you quit:
- NDQuits Phone - Call our toll-free number, 1.800.QUIT.NOW (1.800.784.8669).
- TDD users can call toll-free at 1.800.842.4681. - NDQuits Online - Online.
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