By Staff
Thanks Atmore, American Legion
The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary want to thank all of you for the overwhelming response to the Catfish Dinner that we sponsored on Nov. 4, 2005.
We appreciate the patience that was shown in the face of some of our challenges. This was our first such project in a long time and we had some good "glitches" to work through. We will use this to make the next one even better. We have heard many positive comments about the food.
The best thing that will come from this is that we will be able to continue projects that will benefit the veterans in our community and to benefit the community as a whole. We consider fostering a spirit of patriotism and respect for the flag and an understanding of the freedom we have in the youth of our community to be a major goal for both organizations. You will be seeing some work in that direction in the coming months. Thank you again for your support.
Aubrey Stanley
Commander, Post 90, Atmore
ACS Smoke Out slated for Nov. 17
The American Cancer Society (ACS) holds the Great American Smokeout each November to help smokers quit cigarettes for at least one day, in hopes they will quit forever.
This year's event will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2005. This is the 25th Anniversary of the Great American Smokeout. The Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County will hold a public forum on this same day at the Atmore Community Hospital in the conference room to discuss the importance of having stronger clean air laws.
In Alabama, the consequences of smoking are devastating. More than 7,000 Alabamians die each year as a result of tobacco use, and another 1,000 youth and adults die from exposure to secondhand smoke. Annual healthcare costs in Alabama directly caused by smoking are $1.38 billion. One in four adult's is a smoker, and according to the Alabama Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in early 2004, 24 percent of high school students are current smokers.
The benefits of quitting smoking are numerous. According to CDC, the risk of heart attack decreases within 24 hours of not smoking. Additionally, the risk of cancer, stroke and lung disease are greatly reduced. Within 20 minutes after smoking that last cigarette, the body makes changes that reduce the harm to the body from smoking.
Alabama now has a Quitline that offers help to those who wish to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. 1-800-Quit-Now, is available for free counseling services Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Quit plans are developed with the caller and counselor to fit the caller's needs. Each caller will receive a Quit Kit, as well as discount coupons for nicotine replacement therapy. Non-tobacco users are also encouraged to call to seek help for friends and loved ones who want to quit tobacco. Services are also provided in Spanish and other languages as needed through a translator service.
For more information, call Tina Findley, Tobacco Prevention and Control Coordinator, Alabama Department of Public Health, 251-867-5765.
Tina Findley,
RN ADPH Area 9 Tobacco Prevention &Control Coordinator