PITTSBURGH — The Allegheny Quits for Life Cessation Awareness Week kicked off on Nov. 11 and will continue until Saturday.

The week is a product of Live Well Allegheny and Tobacco Free Allegheny and is filled with events in support of the communities attempts to support resident’s efforts to quit smoking and using tobacco products.

“We have seen a decrease in smoking rates in Allegheny County in recent years, from 23 percent down to 19 percent, but Allegheny County along with the State of Pennsylvania (19 percent), are still above the national smoking rate (17 percent) which is concerning,” said Dr. Karen Hacker who is the Allegheny County Health Department Director, in a press release.

Hacker believes that the lives of residents of Allegheny County will improve if smoking and tobacco rates go down in the area.

“One of the primary ways we want residents to ‘live well’ is by decreasing smoking. We urge those that smoke to consider quitting this week,” says Hacker

Hacker also discusses that there are many ways for resident’s to get help quitting.

“There are many options to help you quit smoking, and quitting can make all the difference for you and your loved ones,” said Hacker.

Encouragement is not just for smokers and tobacco users to help themselves, but also to help the people around them.

“We also urge residents to let their elected officials to know that we must eliminate the exemptions from the PA Clean Indoor Act to ensure that workplaces are smoke-free,” said Hacker.

The event also coincides with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout.

To learn more about the event or how to quit smoking and end tobacco use, visit here.