Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program

Each year more than 8,000 Kentuckians die of illnesses caused by tobacco use. Some die of lung cancer, while others fall victim to cardiovascular disease. Annually, Medicaid and Medicare costs exceed $1.2 billion for treatment of Kentuckians suffering smoking-related diseases and conditions. This equals $300 for each of the 4 million people living in Kentucky.

Kentucky Tobacco Prevalence Data

To help ease the toll tobacco takes on the health of Kentuckians, the state Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program has adopted the four Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) goals for reducing the negative health effects of tobacco use:

• Preventing the initiation of tobacco use among young people
• Promoting cessation among young people and adults
• Eliminating non-smokers exposure to environmental tobacco smoke
• Identifying and eliminating the disparities related to tobacco and its effects on different population groups

The program mission is to reduce preventable and premature deaths attributed to tobacco use by implementing programs to decrease tobacco use and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. This includes local and statewide programs encouraging youth not to use tobacco products and helping those who want to quit in doing so.

These goals are achieved through a community component based in local health departments. This draws on existing infrastructure and strong links between local groups concerned about reducing the health risks and illness associated with tobacco use.

Kentucky is one of 46 states to receive funds from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. With these funds and a grant from CDC, staff in the Kentucky Department for Public Health provides ongoing technical support and training for local health departments as well as funding to help them achieve their specific area goals.

* Tobacco-free Kids Fact Sheets (PDF)
** Kentucky Vital Statistics Files; Live Birth Certicate Files, 1994 - 2003.

There are several successful program available to assist smokers and other tobacco users in quitting.

1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) offers free counseling to all tobacco users. FREE

www.BecomeAnEX.org is a web site to help tobacco users break their addiction to tobacco. FREE

www.MyLastDip.com is a web site to assist people who use smokeless tobacco in quitting. FREE

The Cooper Clayton Method to Quit Smoking is a twelve week program to assist tobacco users in coping with the withdrawal of nicotine with nicotine replacement products and group support to assist with the behavioral aspects of addiction. This is a current list of scheduled Cooper Clayton classes. Some fees may apply, call the health department nearest you for additional information.