Fargo Cass Public Health Encourages Tobacco Users to Participate in "It’s Quitting Time", June 14th – 20th

(Fargo, ND) -- Partners from the North Dakota Department of Health, Tobacco Free North Dakota, and North Dakota local public health units encourage all tobacco and e-cigarette (vape) users in North Dakota to set a quit date during It’s Quitting Time, June 14th-20th. 

This weekl-ong awareness campaign aims to bring attention to the dangers of tobacco and nicotine while encouraging users to seek help quitting from Fargo Cass Public Health, NDQuits, a healthcare provider, or pharmacist. These entities can help develop a quit plan and provide tools and resources to greatly improve a tobacco user’s odds at success. FCPH and NDQuits provide additional support in the form of personal coaching and nicotine replacement therapy medication. Free nicotine patches, nicotine gum, or nicotine lozenges are provided to qualified enrollees. 

“We have resources so that quitting tobacco and nicotine doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Setting a quit date during It’s Quitting Time can help,” said Melissa Markegard, FCPH Tobacco Prevention Coordinator. “You can become tobacco-free. We can help.”

Despite declining tobacco use rates in North Dakota, 17% of adults in the state still smoke. According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, smoking causes 1,000 deaths each year in the state and contributes to about $326 million in annual healthcare costs.

To learn more about resources available to quit tobacco and nicotine, visit Fargo Cass Public Health’s website by clicking here.