Be a Mentor, Be a Role Model, Be Tobacco Free.

ADULT SMOKERS AND NON-SMOKERS SEEK TO BECOME TOBACCO-FREE MENTORS FOR TEENS DURING SEPTEMBER’S ‘WASHINGTON QUITS’ BACK-TO-SCHOOL-WEEK CAMPAIGN

When it comes to rejecting tobacco use, teens need encouragement. Adult role models can be just the encouragement they need.

That’s the message of next month’s back-to-school “Washington Quits” campaign – a statewide mentoring effort that encourages adults to set good examples for kids by quitting tobacco.

Governor Chris Gregoire recently placed the “Washington Quits” mentoring project in motion by completing her proclamation that declares Sept. 12-18, 2010 as “Tobacco-free Teens Back to School Week.”

Following the governor’s lead, many of Washington’s cities, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association and Washington Health Foundation, have passed similar resolutions.

A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, shows new evidence that parents play a key role in whether or not their children who try tobacco become daily smokers before they finish high school.

Recent statistics compiled by the Washington State Department of Health reveal that more than 14 percent of the state’s high school sophomores are cigarette smokers. The number increases to 20 percent regarding Washington’s high school seniors.

Chewing tobacco also continues to be an issue with Washington teens. The Department of Health’s statistics reveal that nearly 7 percent of high school sophomores in the state chew tobacco. For Washington’s high school seniors, nearly 9 percent of the class uses chewing tobacco.

Adult smokers or chewing-tobacco users who are eager to quit and become tobacco-free mentors for teens this fall can take heart in the unprecedented number of options available to quit for good.

There is no single way that works for everyone. Methods of quitting include cold turkey, counseling, prescription medicines, support groups, transdermal patches, nicotine gum, lozenges and sprays.

Today, there is an effective quit-tobacco option to fit anyone.

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