A Nationally Accredited Health Department Since 2017

Quitting smoking, vaping, and other tobacco related products is an important step you can take to improve your health.
Nicotine addiction can make it hard to quit, but there are proven treatments that can help. Whether you are thinking about quitting or ready to quit now, the Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) can help you on your journey.

Click here to learn about the Smoke-Free Illinois Act

Benefits of Quitting

Quitting tobacco and vaping products:

  • Improves health status
    • Reduces risk for many adverse health effects, including poor reproductive health outcomes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cancer.
  • Enhances quality of life
    • Even has benefits for people already diagnosed with coronary heart disease or COPD
  • Reduces risk of premature death, adding as much as 10 years to your life expectancy
  • Improves the health of pregnant women and their babies
  • Saves Money

Quitting smoking protects family members, coworkers, friends, and others from the health risks associated with breathing secondhand smoke.

tobacco and vaping cessation - quitting smoking lowers risks of 12 types of cancers
tobacco and vaping cessation - health benefits of quitting smoking

Time To Quit

Ready to quit but not sure where to start? Not sure if you are ready? The Illinois Tobacco Quitline can help. Go to the website for information and tips on quitting or call the hotline. The Illinois Tobacco Quitline (ITQL) provides free tobacco and vaping cessation services to all Illinois residents 13 years of age and older.

Call WCHD’s Tobacco Prevention Specialist at 815-720-4000 and let us help you begin your journey, or utilize the resources listed below:

tobacco and vaping cessation - green outline of illinois

Illinois Resources:

tobacco and vaping cessation - illinois tobacco quitline

Illinois Tobacco Quitline

Call: 1-866-784-8937
Go Online To: www.quityes.org

tobacco and vaping cessation - green laptop outline

Online Resources:

CDC

www.cdc.gov/quit

Information and information on quitting for better health.

Smokefree.gov

smokefree.gov

Free online information and Tools & Tips to get smoke-free and stay smoke-free.

tobacco and vaping cessation - green speech bubble outline

Texting & Apps:

SmokefreeTXT

The Text and Phone App Programs are offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s National Cancer Institute’s Smokefree.gov

Receive encouraging Text Messages daily to support you in quiting smoking and a “keyword” you can use when you need extra support. Those ages 13 years and older can sign up.

To sign up, text QUIT to 47848

or go online to: SmokefreeTXT Enrollment (https://smokefree.gov/tools-tips/text-programs/quit-for-good/smokefreetxt) and complete a form.

quitSTART

GET THE quitSTART App

A free smartphone app that helps you quit smoking with tailored tips, inspiration and challenges.

https://teen.smokefree.gov/become-smokefree/quitstart-app

Additional Information about tobacco use health impacts and quitting can be found at: