COVINGTON, Ga. - May 31 is World No Tobacco Day, sponsored by the World Health Organization to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and encourage organizations to implement policies to reduce smoking and other tobacco use.

The Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments urge individuals to learn more about risks of tobacco use and services offered for tobacco cessation. GNR Health Departments encourage those who are ready to quit smoking to contact the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line for free Nicotine Replacement Therapy at 1-877-270-STOP (7867).

The focus of World No Tobacco Day 2018 is "Tobacco and heart disease." Tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease (a narrowing of arteries). WHO says knowledge among much of the public that tobacco is a leading cause of CVD is low. According to WHO:

• CVD kills more people than any other cause of death worldwide.
  
• Tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure contribute to about 12 percent of deaths from heart disease.
  
• Tobacco use is the second leading cause of CVD, after high blood pressure.
  

WHO encourages governments worldwide to protect people from the harms of tobacco. Measures include:

• The creation of smoke-free public places, workplaces, and public transportation
  
• Help for people who choose to quit tobacco, such as toll-free quit lines
  
• Implementation of plain packaging and/or prominent and graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging
  
• Launching effective anti-tobacco mass media campaigns that educate the public about the harms of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure
  
• Enforcement of comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship
  
• Increased taxes on tobacco products to make them less affordable
  

For more information on Georgia Tobacco Quit Line, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/ready-quit.