By Payton Tholstrup

The North Central Kansas Medical Center in Concordia, Kansas is encouraging the community to go “Cold Turkey” on November 16th for the Great American Smoke Out. They are partnering with the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), which has identified that tobacco use is one of the largest health concerns in Cloud County.

Denise Baumann shared that the health benefits of quitting smoking happen immediately. “Within twenty minutes of your last cigarette, your heart rate and blood pressure drop. Within a few days, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal and within 2 weeks to 3 months, your circulation improves and your lung function increases.”

CHNA is encouraging community members who smoke, vape, or chew tobacco and nicotine products to pledge to go 24 hours cold turkey on November 16th.

Pledges can be found online and are also available at the hospital. Pledges need to be turned in by Friday November 17th at 5:00 p.m. One pledge will be drawn on November 20th and the winner will receive a turkey.

For more information, you can contact Denise Baumann or Pam Campbell at 785-243-1234, or visit www.nckmed.com