Let’s Celebrate Our Men

Whether it’s your husband, partner, dad, brother, son, or friend you can help support the health and safety of the men in your life during National Men’s  Health Month. 

This week, June 15 – 20, join us in celebrating national men’s health week. As you honor the sacrifice, cherish memories, and show them love in preparation for Father’s Day, let’s inspire our men to lead a healthier lifestyle by encouraging our men to be tobacco free!

Did you know smoking is a preventable health problem? 

Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death above cancer and HIV/AIDS. Over 11,100 Hoosier lose their lives from cigarette smoking and 14,000 die prematurely from exposure to secondhand smoke every year.  In 2016, Indiana had the 10th highest smoking rate in the United States.

Fast forward to 2020, in the wake of COVID-19, research suggests that tobacco affects all parts of the human body and has proven to lower lung function.  Those with compromised lung function are at an increased risk for COVID-19.

This Father’s Day, let’s celebrate our men by encouraging them to take control of their health by seeking regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury, and take the first step in becoming tobacco free!

Services are available 24/7: 

Here to help, the Indiana Tobacco Quitline is a free phone-based counseling service that helps Hoosiers quit all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco,  or online counseling services from eQuitNow.com with supplementary texting service, Text2Quit®.

Call 1-800-Quit-Now today or visit QuitNowIndiana.com

Statistics provided by Rethinktobaccoindiana.org, Americashealthrankings.org, CDC.gov

Men’s Smoking Rates among Racial and Ethnic Populations

• Men who smoke increase their risk of dying
  • From bronchitis by nearly 10 times
  • From emphysema by nearly 10 times
  • From lung cancer by more than 22 times
  • And from heart disease triples

The Indiana Tobacco Quitline is a free phone-based counseling service that helps Hoosiers quit all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco. There is also a web based counseling option (eQuitNow.com) and supplementary texting service, Text2Quit®.

Quitting smoking has numerous benefits, but perhaps the greatest of all is more time with family and loved ones this June. Dads who smoke can celebrate Father’s Day by pledging to quit, and family and friends can help support men who pledge to quit by offering support and compassion.

Share your photos of the significant men in your lives and why you support pledge to quit on our Twitter & Facebook page. Tag us @indplsul and use the hashtags #MensHealthMatters #Pledge2Quit Happy Father’s Day from the Indianapolis Urban League.

Statistics provided by: Rethinktobaccoindiana.org, Americashealthrankings.org, CDC.gov

For more information contact: Sherrita Niles, Tobacco Cessation Prevention Program Manager, Indianapolis Urban League, snile@indplsul.org, 317-779-9149