The more cigarettes you smoke, the higher your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. According to the most recent data from the Mississippi State Department of Health, in 2016, Mississippi ranked first in the nation for overall diabetes prevalence, with an estimated 308,295 adult Mississippians living with diabetes (over 13.6% of the adult population). Diabetes accounted for 1,083 deaths in Mississippi in 2016.

According to the office of Tobacco Control at The Mississippi State Department of Health 23.0% of all adults in Mississippi reported current cigarette use.

Bill B. had diabetes. He quit smoking the day his leg was amputated. “Having diabetes and being a smoker—my doctors always warned me about the bad things that could happen. Did I listen? No!”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) saythose who smoke cigarettes are 30%-40% to develop type 2 diabetes compared to nonsmokers. If you have diabetes and you smoke, you are will have be a higher risk for trouble managing your insulin dosing.

“Quitting smoking provides health and protection to you, no matter when you quit,” said Peggie Jones Director of the Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition of Jefferson Davis County. “These benefits are more important now than ever.”

Forinformation about the dangers of cigarettesvisitwww.healthyms.com/tobaccoFor help with quitting visit www.quitlinems.com, or call the Mississippi Tobacco Quitline at

1-800-QUIT-NOW.