June 21, 2012 - The Coastal Health District, Savannah Sand Gnats, and ENT Associates of Savannah are partnering for "Hit Tobacco Out of the Park Night" on Saturday, June 23. The day will begin with the Coastal Health District Healthy Heart Home Run 5K Trot at 8 a.m. To register, go to www.sandgnats.com and visit the Community/Special Events page and click on the 5K tab. Packet pick-up will take place beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 22, at Fleet Feet Sports located at 3405 Waters Ave. On-site registration the day of the race will take place from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and cost that day will be $30. Proceeds will benefit the Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council.

That evening from 5-7 p.m., ENT Associates of Savannah will provide free thyroid scans for throat cancer. In addition, Coastal Health District representatives will provide information on the Georgia Quit Line, the availability of free nicotine patches and gum, and tobacco cessation classes.

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and in Georgia. The Coastal Health District is committed to preventing initiation of tobacco use and helping our smokers to quit. We are also dedicated to ensuring smoke-free air in schools, public parks and indoor places of employment, particularly for infants, children, pregnant women and citizens with asthma and/or other chronic respiratory diseases (those who are at highest risk for illnesses resultant from exposure to second-hand smoke). At the Coastal Health District we understand that tobacco is addictive and that quitting is difficult. Our goals are to help those who want to quit, quit for good; discourage tobacco usage among those who don't currently use tobacco; and to help all of our citizens lead healthy, tobacco-free lives.