By By Lisa Tindell
news editor
A July federal tax increase may have slowed down the sales of cigarettes in Alabama, but officials with the State Department of Public Health are hoping those who continue to smoke will find a new reason to quit Thursday.
Tina Findley, tobacco prevention and control coordinator for Escambia County Department of Public Health, said the Great American Smokeout is a great opportunity to recognize the benefits of stopping the use of tobacco.
Findley said  Alabama residents have an opportunity to contact a support group to help get them through the difficulty of quitting smoking.
The Quitline offers four weeks of free nicotine patches to those medically eligible who begin the counseling process, Findley said. The patches may help save thousands of lives in Alabama.
Findley said the benefits of quitting smoking are numerous for those who are able to give up the use of tobacco.
The American Cancer Society lists some strategies while quitting smoking for a day, Findley said.
For additional information on quitting smoking, contact Findley at the Escambia County Health Department at 867-5765.