Tobacco & Nicotine Products
Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and causes over 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S. In addition, smoking increases the risk of heart and vascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and premature aging, as well as other health issues. While vape pens or electronic cigarettes are often viewed as a "safer" alternative, they still carry health risks. Because vape pens are relatively new, their long-term health effects remain unknown.
The Kendall County Health Department’s Tobacco Control Program, funded by the Tobacco Settlement Agreement, aims to:
- Educate the community on the dangers of environmental tobacco and nicotine use
- Increase awareness of and compliance with the Smoke-Free Illinois Act
- Promote quitting and prevention among youth and adults
- Implement a tobacco cessation program.
- Lead a community-wide Coalition to work with other advocates and stakeholders to encourage a healthy Kendall County.
Join Our Coalition
If you are passionate about reducing tobacco and nicotine use in the Kendall County community, please consider joining our Tobacco Control Coalition. Anyone is welcome to join – community members, agencies, and professionals of all backgrounds. We come together to improve access to cessation services, combine and share resources, and expand our impact through Coalition partnerships.
In addition to providing smoking cessation classes to the public and various types of tobacco prevention education, Health Education works with the Environmental Health Unit to enforce the Smoke-Free Illinois Act.
Quitting Resources
Illinois Tobacco Quitline (ITQL)
The Illinois Tobacco Quitline is a free, statewide service that helps Illinois residents quit smoking, vaping, or using any tobacco product. It offers phone counseling, quit‑planning, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for eligible callers, all operated by the American Lung Association with funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
What the Quitline Provides:
- group format and peer support
- free to Kendall County residents
- in-person sessions
- workbooks that users can refer back to
- provides members with resources and practical skills
Are you interested in becoming a referral partner to the Illinois Tobacco Quitline to help your clients and patients move towards smoking cessation? Reach out to the Kendall County Health Department via 630-553-9100, and we can help get you started in the process.
Courage to Quit
Courage to Quit is an evidence-based, behavioral health program that helps smokers at all levels. It can help people who use tobacco, smokeless tobacco, or e-cigarettes.
This program provides access to:
- Certified Quitline Counselors
- Motivational Text Messages
- One-on-One Support Sessions
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (if eligible)
- Personalized Quit Plans
Educational Resources
- Click here for Your Call, Your Quit | Illinois Tobacco Quitline.
- Click here for the Health Effects of Smoking.
- Click here for information about E-Cigarettes (Vapes).
- Click here for E-Cigarette Use Among Youth.
- Click here for The Truth About What Vaping is Doing to Your Body.
- Click here for the Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time.
- Click here for information on Nicotine Dependence.
- Click here for the Smoke-Free Illinois Act.
- Click here for Steps to Quitting Smoking and Vaping.
- Click here for the Smoke Free Texting Service.
- Click here for information on Secondhand Smoke.
- Click here for Freedom from Smoking Online.
- Click here for Nicotine Anonymous.
- Click here for information on the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.