November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., and 90% of lung cancer cases are related to smoking. If you are a smoker, quitting now is the best thing you can do to keep your lungs healthy.
RHHD sponsors a Free From Tobacco program, which helps Richmond residents quit smoking and other tobacco use. Free From Tobacco Coach Richard Baker says that individualized support is critical for someone taking this big step.
“Statistics show that most people take multiple attempts to quit. It can be such a hard habit or a learned behavior through family members, so we want clients thinking about what they’re buying and using more. We’re helping people learn to feed another part of their brain and to replace the activity.”
Richard wishes more people understood that tobacco cessation—quitting using tobacco products—should also include moving away from vaping. “While vaping may seem like the lesser of two evils, there are still many unknown variables associated with these devices,” he says.
If you’re a Richmond resident, get in touch with the Free From Tobacco program to figure out if personalized coaching and support is the right path for you. You can visit the FFT website or complete the intake form directly at rhhd.gov/tobaccofree. If you live outside Richmond or want to explore other resources, you can also visit Quit Now Virginia for coaching and support options!
