It's (Cough) World (Splutter) No Tobacco Day 2016

In a perfect world, no cigarettes, cigars or pipes would be smoked on Tuesday, World No Tobacco Day 2016, a World Health Organization observance to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.

So, if you don’t smoke today, why smoke at all?

The Michigan Tobacco Quitline for those who want to quit using tobacco.

Callers to the Quitline receive information, referrals, and if qualified, can enroll in a free coaching program and even receive nicotine replacement medications to assist them in quitting. Call the Michigan Tobacco Quitline at (800) QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or visit online.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Michigan, killing more than 16,200 Michigan residents annually.

In addition, 8,100 Michigan youth become new regular, daily smokers each year, and as a result, more than 1/3 of these children will die prematurely. Unfortunately, during 2011-2015 youth use of emerging tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, was on the rise.

In 2016, Michigan spent just $1.625 million on tobacco prevention and control programming, while tobacco use cost the state nearly $4.6 billion in health-care costs, including nearly $1.4 billion in Medicaid costs. The tobacco industry spends an estimated $300 million annually to market their products in Michigan.