New Campaign to help North Carolinians quit smoking

Press release from The North Carolina Alliance for Health:

Over 50 NC Patient & Provider Groups, Health Care Systems & Local Leaders to Launch ‘Race to Quit, NC’ – New Campaign to Help North Carolinians Quit Smoking

Oct. 6 Press Conference to Feature Deputy DHHS Secretary, Director of Duke Smoking Cessation Program & More; Awareness Events Held Next Week Across the State

RALEIGH – On Tuesday (October 6), the North Carolina Alliance for Health, QuitLineNC and more than 50 other statewide patient and physician groups, health care systems and local leaders will partner to launch “Race to Quit, NC.” The new campaign – which is centered around awareness events being held all week across the state – is dedicated to connecting tobacco users with the tools and resources they need to quit.

The groups will hold a press conference Tuesday, October 6 at 12:30 p.m.at the E Harvey Estes Conference Center (1121 Slater Rd, Durham, NC 27703) to officially kickoff the campaign.  The October 6th press event will feature remarks from the following health care leaders:

·         Dr. Randall Williams – Deputy Secretary of Health Services, NC Department of Health & Human Services
·         Dr. James Davis –Medical Director, Duke Center for Smoking Cessation, and Director, Duke Smoking Cessation Program
·         Pam Seamans – Executive Director, North Carolina Alliance for Health

“One out of every five adults in North Carolina is a smoker, meaning that tobacco use is still well above the national average in our state,” said Pam Seamans, executive director of the North Carolina Alliance for Health. “We know that the vast majority of smokers have tried to quit and that just 7 percent are able to successfully quit without help, so the goal of Race to Quit is to connect smokers with the support they need. Our message is that resources and tools are accessible to help all North Carolinians cross the finish line to a smoke-free life.”

WHO:      The NC Alliance for Health, QuitLineNC and more than 50 other health care leaders
WHAT:    Press conference to launch “Race to Quit, NC”
WHEN:    October 6, 2015 at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE:   E. Harvey Estes Conference Center (1121 Slater Rd, Durham, NC 27703)

To learn more about Race to Quit, NC and the other awareness events being held next week, visit: http://www.ncallianceforhealth.org/race-to-quit-nc/. For a list of Race to Quit, NC partners and to access their quit-smoking resources, visit: http://www.ncallianceforhealth.org/race-to-quit-nc/.

Follow and engage with Race to Quit, NC on social media using the hashtag: #RacetoQuitNC. Throughout this week, Race to Quit partners will also be using the hashtag #WhyNCQuits to share quit-smoking photos and videos on Twitter, and we invite former tobacco users and loved ones to join us. Use this hashtag (#WhyNCQuits) to share tweets, photos and/or videos about why you or a loved one decided to quit.

About the North Carolina Alliance for Health:
The North Carolina Alliance for Health is an independent, statewide coalition of public, private, professional and nonprofit organizations advocating for obesity and tobacco use prevention policies before North Carolina’s legislative and executive branches. Alliance members and partners include the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association, NC Pediatric Society, Prevention Partners, NC Association of Local Health Directors, NC Public Health Association, March of Dimes, American Diabetes Association, Youth Empowered Solutions, NC Alliance of YMCA’s, the Council of Churches and many others. For more information, visit http://www.ncallianceforhealth.org/.