SAVE THE DATE! On December 10, the Coalition for a Smoke-Free Tomorrow will host a half-day conference to share with policymakers, health advocates, and influencers the latest information about e-cigarettes, vapes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) devices. The conference will zero in on usage of ENDS products in Kentucky, their impact on health, and policy recommendations for Frankfort.

 

The conference will be held at the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's offices in the Lyndon area of Louisville; the Foundation is coordinating live-watch events in two to three additional Kentucky cities to maximize attendance.

 

Kentuckians who want to quit smoking have at least two dozen sources for free and low-cost nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, such as patches, gums, lozenges and sprays, thanks to a list developed by the Kentucky Cancer Consortium and the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

 

NRT products are medications that help reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They can double smokers' chances of quitting for good, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And research has shown that NRT products, which have been around for about 30 years, are safe to use for almost all adults without first consulting a doctor. Only pregnant women, teens and people with serious health issues should talk with their doctor first.

 

Many local Kentucky health departments offer free NRT to those participating in the American Lung Association's "Freedom from Smoking" clinics or the state Quitline program. Statewide, the Kentucky smoking cessation hotline, QuitnowKY, also has limited supplies of NRT products for participants. And nationwide, the American Lung Association, Quit.now (operated by GSK, the maker of NicoDerm CQ® and Nicorette®), and Tweet 2 Quit have programs that offer free NRT. See the full list here .