RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN (WGNS News) - Now through Jan. 9, 2026, Tennessee is marking Quit Smoking Week, and here in Rutherford County, local health officials are using the moment to encourage residents to take a life changing step toward better health. The Rutherford County Health Department is inviting smokers to join a local cessation program designed to support not only their own well being but also the health of their families and future (TN Quit Line Website Here).
“The start of a new year is a time to make meaningful changes,” said Rutherford County Health Department Director Sydney Butterfield. “For those who smoke, quitting is one of the most impactful decisions they can make. They need to know they aren’t alone in this effort, whether they’ve tried to quit before or are thinking about quitting for the first time.”
Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death in Tennessee. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke contribute to more than 480,000 deaths nationwide each year, harming nearly every organ in the body. Smoking is tied to cancer, heart disease, stroke, COPD, diabetes, and weakened immune function, and it accounts for roughly 80 percent of lung cancer deaths. Vaping isn’t a safe alternative either. While often marketed as “less harmful,” e cigarettes still deliver nicotine along with heavy metals, cancer causing chemicals, and ultra-fine particles that settle deep in the lungs. CDC officials warn that vaping can lead to lung injury, worsen asthma, and increase long term risks such as COPD and high blood pressure.
Quit Week emphasizes that stopping tobacco use is a process, not a single moment. Participants are encouraged to set a quit date, build a support system, and explore strategies that fit their lifestyle. While some people attempt to quit “cold turkey,” national data shows that only a small percentage succeed without support. Counseling paired with medication or nicotine replacement—such as patches, gum, or lozenges—offers the highest success rate, and quit-lines and coaching programs can make the journey easier.
The good news is that the body begins healing almost immediately after quitting. Within minutes, heart rate and blood pressure start to drop. Over the following weeks and months, lung function improves, circulation strengthens, and coughing decreases. Over the years, the risks of heart disease, stroke, and several cancers fall dramatically, and many former smokers regain much of their lost health.
Rutherford County’s cessation program offers motivational calls, enrollment in the Tennessee Tobacco Quit Line, and free nicotine replacement products or other medications for those who qualify. Residents ready to begin a tobacco free chapter can contact the Health Department in Rutherford County at 615-898-7880.
Quit vaping and quit smoking today. Visit the state's FACEBOOK page below.
In Tennessee, Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free, confidential support.
