(KLZA)--Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease.

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has signed a proclamation recognizing November 16-22, 2025, as Quit Tobacco Week, focusing attention and resources across the state to support Nebraskans on their journey to becoming tobacco-free.

The Nebraska Quitline is a valuable tool for Nebraskans who are seeking to quit tobacco for good and take effective steps to live a healthier life both mentally and physically. So far this year, the Quitline has answered over 2,083 calls from Nebraskans seeking help to quit tobacco. 

Tobacco Free Nebraska, the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline, the American Cancer Society, and other partners across Nebraska are teaming up to promote Quit Tobacco Week and the Great American Smokeout. Each year during the third week of November, these events encourage people who use any tobacco product to commit to a tobacco-free lifestyle and help inform people about the many tools they can use to help them quit—and stay quit.

In 2023, 12.1% of Nebraskan adults still smoked cigarettes, 8.2% used e-cigarettes, and 4.4% used smokeless tobacco products. Today, nearly seven out of 10 adults who use tobacco report they want to quit.

The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline offers free and confidential phone, web, or texting-based coaching along with free quit medication starter kits, including nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges at no cost to Nebraskans trying to quit tobacco. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or visit QuitNo?w.ne.gov to connect with a trained quit coach or to see if you are eligible for free quit medication.

The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.