Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Annually, an estimated 480,000 Americans die prematurely due to smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. ¹https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics

In the United States, tobacco-related death, disease, and disability cost society approximately $225 billion in direct medical care costs and more than $156 billion in lost productivity – including $5.6 billion in lost productivity due to secondhand smoke exposure. ²https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts

The purpose of this course is to provide those who are interested in becoming a Referral Partner to the Illinois Tobacco Quitline with an understanding of the value of your position and the role that you can play in helping your patients, clients, or employees quit using tobacco and nicotine products. This course is also intended to serve as a refresher for current Illinois Tobacco Quitline Referral Partners. By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Engage your patients, clients, or employees about their current tobacco use
• Make referrals to the Illinois Tobacco Quitline
• Recognize the value of serving as an Illinois Tobacco Quitline Referral Partner in our community

References