Anyone thinking

about quitting will find great support in UNITE Georgia's statewide toll-free

Quit Line, 1-877-270-STOP. The statewide Quit Line is an easy way for

Georgians to connect with trained professionals who can aid in cessation

from all forms of tobacco including cigarettes, chew, cigars and pipes.

Individuals addicted to tobacco can become non-users through this free

resource that includes support tailored to the needs of each caller.

"In addition

to helping people quit using tobacco, we also are urging everyone to support

smoke-free restaurants in the community Nov. 21," said NaTasha L.

Howard, Tobacco Use Prevention coordinator, District Four Health Services

(Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike,

Spalding, Troup and Upson counties). "We have a large number of restaurants

in the area that provide smoke-free dining, and we're encouraging residents

to show support for these retailers who provide a smoke-free option."

According to

the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2000 data, 21.8 percent

of adults in the health district use tobacco, she added. "An overwhelming

majority of the community does not use tobacco and deserves to enjoy smoke-free

air," Howard said.

An estimated

53,000 people die every year from heart disease, lung cancer and other

cancers related to secondhand smoke. Many workers breathe in enough secondhand

smoke every day to suffer some of the same hazardous health effects seen

in smokers.

Secondhand

smoke is a harmful substance that contains more than 60 known carcinogens

and 200 known poisons, including acetone and naphthalene found in household

items such as nail polish remover and mothballs. Anyone can be affected

secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adult non-smokers and serious respiratory

problems in children such as asthma.

District Four

Health Services Tobacco Use Prevention program is funded by UNITE Georgia.

UNITE Georgia is an initiative of the Tobacco Use Prevention Section,

DHR Division of Public Health, in partnership with the Georgia Cancer

Coalition. UNITE Georgia, a state-supported and community-driven program,

aims to create a better understanding and awareness of tobacco's effect

on Georgia. For more information about the free Tobacco Quit Line or to

learn about the dangers of secondhand smoke, please contact Natasha L.

Howard at (706) 845-4035.