Tobacco use in Virginia
On average, roughly 14% of Virginians smoke cigarettes and nearly 50% of adult smokers have considered quitting their habits in the past year. Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States, despite a significant decline in the number of people who smoke. Over 16 million Americans have at least one disease caused by smoking. This amounts to $170 billion in direct medical costs that could be saved every year if we could prevent youth from starting to smoke and help every person who smokes to quit.
Quitting tobacco use is an important step to improve health, but it is not easy, due to nicotine dependence. Quitting successfully often requires multiple quit attempts. Chances of success in
managing nicotine addiction increase with support and help.
Ending the tobacco epidemic in Virginia
Quit Now Services
For all Virginians aged 13 and older who want to quit using tobacco or nicotine, toll-free tobacco hotline/web chat/text services are available to help Virginians quit smoking and using tobacco and nicotine products. Free expert counseling from a trained Quit Coach, free personalized quit plan, free resources and materials are included for participants.
The Quitline offers free telephone or web-based counseling, Text2Quit support, self-help materials and referral to local resources. There is no limit to the number of times someone can call. The Virginia Department of Health, Tobacco Control Project manages the Quitline and funding is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). OPTUM provides the tobacco cessation services. This is a highly specialized company with contracts to provide services to numerous health plans, employers and government organizations. Services are accessed by calling and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.