Ringgold County Public Health works with local schools, the Ringgold County Interagency Coalition and Quitline Iowa to provide tobacco use prevention education to people of all ages. We also promote the Great American Smoke-out sponsored by the American Cancer Society held annually the third Thursday during November.
Programs: High School and Elementary School
Ringgold County Public Health works together with local schools to provide tobacco use prevention education to all age levels.
High school students are encouraged to get involved with SADD (students against destructive decisions) to assist with tobacco prevention presentations to elementary classes, and aid in community prevention efforts. See how Ringgold County teens worked to kick tobacco ads out.
Tobacco Prevention in Ringgold County
We aim to prevent, reduce and eliminate youth tobacco use. Unfortunately, tobacco use starts at a young age when teens are not fully aware of the health risks and the potential for addiction. Ringgold Standing to Oppose Pressure (R-STOP) invites the community to think about how positive role modeling can be encouraged at home and near schools or parks to help keep youth from becoming addicted to tobacco. Diagonal and Mt. Ayr Schools model outstanding tobacco-free school policies at school, on school grounds and in vehicles, as well as school events. Additionally, we thank the cities of Kellerton, Mt. Ayr, Redding and Tingley for providing tobacco-free parks where kids can play. We also applaud the Ringgold County Fairgrounds for turning down tobacco company sponsorship and advertising to protect our kids. You can view the Ringgold Communities Putting Prevention to Work story on www.preventionspeaks.org.
Please contact the Public Health Office at 641-464-0691 for more information about getting involved with tobacco prevention efforts. You can click on the link below to sign up for our new e-newsletter and find out what we are doing to encourage Ringgold County to be tobacco free.
Subscribe to the tobacco prevention newsletter.
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Help for Quitting Tobacco
Quitline Iowa offers free phone coaching by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Call Ringgold County Public Health (641-464-0691) or email jhawbaker@rcph.net with any questions.
FREE NRT OFFER EXTENDED: Ringgold County is still offering 4 free weeks of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) patches in 2012 while supplies last. Call Quitline Iowa at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for more information about your NRT choices:
- Nicotine patches
- Gum
- Lozenges
Quit for Love
Babies and children who are exposed to secondhand smoke from cigarettes may suffer from bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections. Exposure may make them wheeze and cough more often. If they have asthma, breathing in secondhand smoke from cigarettes can trigger an attack that may be severe enough to send them to the hospital. Secondhand smoke also causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breathing even a little secondhand smoke can be dangerous. Quitting smoking will improve your health and protect the health of others. Give your family and friends the gift of good health, quit smoking today.
Learn More About Tobacco Use Prevention
Visit the following websites to learn more about the effects of smoking and to find information and assistance on how to quit smoking:
Quitline Iowa
American Lung Association
Office of the Surgeon General
National Cancer Institute
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Keeping Your Natural Beauty: A Smoker’s Guide to Quitting
