No butts about it, Smokeout Day is here

Today is National Smokeout Day, a day designed to get people to put out their cigarettes for good.

Leon County Students Working Against Tobacco and the Leon County Health Department are teaming up to help.

Students at Lincoln and Chiles high schools will be facilitating pledge walls, where students will promise to either be tobacco-free or "work on" being tobacco-free.

Meanwhile, Capital Health Plan announced Wednesday that only 10.6 percent of its adult members smoke, which surpasses a national goal of 12 percent.

"We are incredibly proud of our members' accomplishments and commitment to their health," said Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, CHP's chief medical officer, in a written statement.

"This is also a noteworthy achievement for our medical community as studies about who influenced decisions to stop smoking consistently show the primary care physician at the top of the list."

People who want to quit smoking are urged to call the Florida Quit Line at (877) 822-6669. The service includes counseling, self-help materials and pharmaceutical help while supplies last.

Published in Tallahassee Democrat on Thursday, November 20, 2008