Iowans Share #ProudQuitter Stories to Inspire Others

These Des Moines area residents started smoking for various reasons, but are now smokefree and sharing their stories to inspire others to quit smoking.

Tobacco is the leading cause of death for Iowans, taking the lives of more than 5,100 adults each year. Here in Iowa, 16.7 percent of adults smoke. Through Iowa’s #ProudQuitter Campaign, the American Lung Association and the Iowa Department of Public Health provide resources for people who are ready to quit smoking. Many underscore the fact that it is extremely difficult to quit tobacco.

“I felt like I could not get enough nicotine, I kept smoking and smoking and it was making my nerves bad and it was making me very anxious and very impatient and I didn’t even know why. I never knew that the cigarettes caused that until I quit and saw the difference,” said Des Moines resident Cory in his #ProudQuitter video. “It just got to the point that I was just fed up and I had to do something about it.”

View the local #ProudQuitter stories here.

Resources Available to Help Iowans Quit

When you are ready, Quitine Iowa is available to help you on your tobacco-free journey.

Quitline Iowa is a free service with a team of coaches trained to safely guide people down the path to success. Quitline Iowa pairs tobacco users with a Quit Coach® to help them develop an individualized quitting plan and determine how to best help them stay tobacco-free. A Quit Coach® also helps by:

• Preparing participants for their quit date
• Providing tips and support to live in a smoke-free environment
• Offering advice and information on medications that may help with withdrawal symptoms

Residents can take advantage of the program by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visiting www.quitlineiowa.org to enroll. Registration specialists and Quit Coaches® are available 24 hours a day.