Last Updated: November 20, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 20, 2025
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov
RHHD Encourages Community to Call it Quits on Smoking
The Great American Smokeout is November 20
RICHMOND, Va. – In support of The Great American Smokeout on Thursday, Nov. 20, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage those who are interested in quitting smoking to seek local resources. Richmond residents can participate in the RHHD Free From Tobacco program.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. More people, both men and women, in the United States die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for approximately 85% of all cases.
According to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Tobacco Control Program, smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and disease in the United States, killing more than 480,000 Americans each year. More than 41,000 of these deaths are from exposure to secondhand smoke.
“Tobacco cessation is a journey,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Free From Tobacco Coach Richard Baker. “These products are often deeply embedded into a person’s lifestyle, and we want to encourage each client to think more about what they’re buying and using. Our goal is to support people in breaking free of addictive behaviors.”
Free From Tobacco
Free From Tobacco is a culturally competent one-on-one coaching program designed to remove barriers for Richmond residents who wish to quit smoking and remain abstinent from all tobacco products. Richmond residents interested in the Free From Tobacco program can call 804-482-8018 for more information or complete the intake form directly at rhhd.gov/tobaccofree. Benefits clients receive from their coach include:
- Weekly in-person or virtual coaching sessions
- Education on tobacco cessation health benefits and strategies
- Background on the history of tobacco
- Access to videos and useful surveys
- Better management of potential chronic diseases for overall health and well being
- Connection to valuable resources such as Quit Now Virginia
Quit Now Virginia
Quit Now Virginia is a statewide evidence-based cessation service for those who want to quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco, nicotine, e-cigarettes, or vapes. Clients can receive one-on-one coaching sessions by phone, chat, or text, as well as group coaching. Virginia tobacco and nicotine users interested in quitting their addiction can contact Quit Now Virginia at 1-800-Quit Now (1-800-784-8669) or at quitnowvirginia.org.
Virginia Smoking Data
In Virginia, about 10,300 adults die each year from smoking, 1,600 non-smokers die each year due to secondhand smoke, and 6,900 children have lost a parent to smoking-related death. Given current smoking levels, 152,000 children living today will ultimately die of smoking. Annual healthcare costs in Virginia directly caused by tobacco use are $3.61 billion.
CDC State Tobacco-Related Disparities Data from 2023 show that 20.7 percent of adult Virginians who had attained less than a high school education smoked cigarettes, compared to 4.1 percent of adult Virginians who had graduated from college. Nearly 20 percent of Virginia adults who were unemployed smoked cigarettes, compared to 10.2 percent of adult Virginians who were employed. Additionally, 28.2 percent of adults who were unable to work due to a physical, mental, or other condition smoked cigarettes.
Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.
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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.
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