Local residents, business owners, and city leaders gathered to enjoy fresh coffee, light refreshments, and fellowship before hearing Massey speak about prevention, community health, and the upcoming Great American Smokeout.
Massey shared that much of her work centers on promoting preventive care in Nevada County. “What I’ve been doing in the community is trying to promote prevention, breast mammograms, colorectal screenings, anything that will help you avoid getting cancer,” she said. “This month we’re focusing on the Great American Smokeout.”
She noted that Nevada County’s smoking rate currently sits at 21% of the population, well above the CDC’s recommended benchmark of 6.1%. “We know we have a ways to go,” Massey said, adding that the Great American Smokeout has been an American Cancer Society initiative for nearly 50 years, encouraging smokers to quit for a day and begin a path toward better health.
Several members of the Prescott Nevada County Health Alliance also spoke, each sharing their role within the organization and emphasizing the importance of early detection, preventive screenings, and community outreach. Their messages reinforced the collective goal of improving health outcomes and increasing awareness of available resources throughout the county.
Massey encouraged attendees to take part this Thursday by wearing a sticker and giving a “quit card” to someone they care about. “If you have a friend who wants to quit for the day, they can write their name on the card as a reminder. The purpose is to show people we care about them,” she said. “We fuss at our husbands, sisters, brothers, uncles about smoking, but sometimes we’re just blowing smoke. This is the day we challenge them to take one step.”
She shared stories from her own office, where she encouraged coworkers who smoke to take the one-day challenge. When they questioned the impact, she explained the benefits clearly: “If you stop smoking for 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drop. If you stop for two weeks to three months, your circulation improves and your lung function increases. If you quit for one to two years, your risk of heart attack drops dramatically. And after five to ten years, your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box is cut in half, along with your risk of stroke.”
Massey also reminded attendees not to overlook vaping. “Don’t let someone say, ‘I’m not smoking, I’m just vaping.’ Vaping still has carcinogens that are just as toxic as regular cigarettes,” she said.
Her message was clear; the goal is not to judge but to save lives. “We’re not worried about people spending $5 or $10 on a pack of cigarettes, we’re trying to protect their health,” Massey said.
The morning offered a warm and educational opportunity for community members to connect, learn, and support efforts to improve the wellbeing of Nevada County families. The event underscored the importance of prevention and community encouragement in the fight against tobacco-related illness.
