Public health officials in Kentucky have launched another phase of their campaign to help people who want to give up tobacco.
Officials say the new public information campaign by the Department for Public Health includes broadcast, print and digital ads. It also features outreach to medical providers and community engagement initiatives aimed at boosting public awareness of the campaign.
The program already offers a free tobacco quit line — 1-800-QUIT NOW. The statewide telephone service provides free counseling and support for people wanting to stop smoking or using other tobacco products.
Kentucky has the nation's second-highest smoking rate, with 24.6 percent of the state's residents reporting daily tobacco use. The state's public health department says more than 8,000 Kentuckians die each year due to tobacco-related diseases, including lung cancer.