Wednesday, October 5, 2016
SmokingisNotOK Campaign will inform Oklahomans about the importance of smoking cessation
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Insurance Department, along with the American Cancer Action Network and the American Lung Association, will partner with numerous local health care providers in Oklahoma to sponsor SmokingisNotOK, a public awareness campaign aimed at informing residents about the importance of quitting smoking.
“Smoking is Oklahoma's leading preventable cause of death, killing more Oklahomans than alcohol, auto accidents, AIDS, suicide, murder and illegal drug use combined,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. “Last year, federal agencies clarified a requirement that health insurance companies cover tobacco use counseling and interventions. Coverage of the preventive services is required. The services are covered with no out-of-pocket costs and no prior authorization.”
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma ranks 39th among all states for its adult smoking rate, with about 23 percent of adult Oklahomans smoking cigarettes.
“Oklahoma is among 13 states that don't have comprehensive smoke-free state laws in place,” said Dawn Watson, Oklahoma government relations director, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc. “Oklahoma residents can smoke in bars and the state allows restaurants to have separate ventilated smoking rooms so there is still more to be done in making Oklahoma smoke-free.”
Oklahoma residents can get involved in Quit Month by using the hashtag #SmokingIsNotOK to share stories about quitting on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
“Our main goal is to educate and inform Oklahoma residents about the resources available to help them quit smoking,” said Jeremy Hughey, executive director, American Lung Association in Oklahoma. “We realize it is no easy feat to give up the addiction to tobacco, but Oklahomans need to know there is help available to them when they’re ready to quit.”
You can get more information about Oklahoma Quit Month at NOTOK.oid.ok.gov. There are also helpful tools online at QuittersCircle.com and you can download the Quitter’s Circle® app* from the App Store or Google Play.
The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is also available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) for access to FREE resources.
About the Oklahoma Insurance Department
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Dexter
405-522-0683
Kelly.Dexter@oid.ok.gov