Smokers who quit by age 35 can expect to live up to 8.5 years longer than those who continue to smoke. Women smokers 65 years old added almost 4 years to their lives when they quit.
 

Cessation Classes :

Individuals seeking cessation classes should contact the American Lung Association at 314-645-5505 ext. 1006 for a schedule of classes and locations.

Companies wishing to provide cessation classes for their employees should contact ALA Consultant Carolyn Westhues for information at 636-946-3326.

                 Prevention of Youth Smoking
 

Approximately 90 percent of smokers begin smoking before the age of 21.
 

The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) task force of Healthy Communities St. Charles County has free prevention resources available for parents and teens about substance abuse. Visit www.hcscc.org or call (636) 410-0383 for more information.
 

Young Choices, Inc., www.youngchoices.org
Don Young represents Young Choices Inc., a not-for-profit organization that presents tobacco education/prevention programs for children, adults, school, churches, community organizations and businesses.

Don started smoking at the early age of 14. By age 48, it had changed his life drastically. Don underwent a series of operations for throat cancer, which saved his life, but left him unable to speak. He now uses an electro-larynx that allows him to produce a robot-like speech; without it, he cannot even whisper. Today, as a cancer survivor, Don now faces an even greater challenge - the challenge to help people resist tobacco. By sharing his painful experience with others, including stark pictures of himself and others who have suffered tobacco’s devastating effects, Don hopes to save many from the suffering and premature death that tobacco causes. Don is a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, Tobacco Free Missouri – St. Louis Coalition, American Lung Association, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph Health Center (St. Charles), National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse – St. Louis Area, DARE program and the St. Charles County Healthy Communities ATOD Task Force.