This Sunday is Father’s Day, which gives us an opportunity to thank dads for everything they do. It’s also a time to raise awareness on an issue that’s taken too many fathers away from us before their time — smoking.
According to data from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the smoking rate for men in Wisconsin is 12%, which comes out to about 291,000 men. Forty-five hundred men in the state die each year from smoking. Of those smokers, a disproportionate number are men of color or those living in poverty.
Nationally, 254,000 men die each year from smoking. That means too many kids are losing their dads to smoking. As a dad, I know that one of my greatest fears is not being here with my kids.
Dad’s who smoke: I’m going to ask you for a favor. Celebrate Father’s Day by quitting smoking. I know that’s not easy. But, here’s some tips that might help.
Set a quit date. Find ways to relax. Identify your smoking triggers and ways to avoid them. Find your support system. Find ways to relax like taking a walk, listening to music or whatever else you like.
Don’t give up. Most people who quit have tried several times before they are successful. Remember, even cutting down on smoking is a success. Even if you don’t decide to quit, help protect your family by creating a smoke-free environment.
Finally, there is free help available in Wisconsin. You can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, the state’s free quit-line, to receive counseling, access nicotine replacement therapies, and more support.
Good luck and happy Father’s Day!
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