by Nancy Casperson, R.N.
Every year, tobacco users across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout by smoking less, quitting for the day or quitting for good on the third Thursday of November. Tobacco users in the Treasure Valley have a great opportunity to prepare for the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 20.
As an ex-smoker, I understand how difficult it is to quit smoking. I tried 30 times before I quit. Sure, I knew my health was compromised, and when the doctor said I had early emphysema, I was horrified by the idea of lugging around an oxygen tank. Still, I could not “just quit.” It took me three years to quit for good. And I haven’t smoked for 17 years.
I started smoking in nursing school (of all things) at the age of 21, getting through night shifts with coffee and cigarettes. I never realized that quitting smoking would be the biggest challenge of my life.
I asked myself, “Why is this so hard?” and started looking for the answer. What I found was upsetting and shocking. The tobacco companies have additives in tobacco that amplify getting nicotine to the brain, many say making it as addictive as crystal methamphetamine. The tobacco companies spend billions of dollars a year on “cool” packaging and advertising (90 percent of all smokers start in their teen years).
No good can come of using tobacco. Smokers and chewers have only health problems, a limited lifestyle and a shortened lifespan to look forward to. That means dying 14 years earlier than a non-smoker.
My tobacco-cessation program is not just focused on why people need to quit, but how to quit. I knew I had to quit and yet I couldn’t. The question of how to help others quit took me to the Mayo Clinic Tobacco Addiction Training, where I learned the most current techniques, treatments and medication used to treat tobacco addiction.
Medical experts now classify tobacco use as a life-threatening medical condition called chronic relapsing addictive disorder. Medical treatment is an important component of any successful tobacco-cessation program. So is educating the tobacco user on what tobacco does inside the body, understanding this addiction and learning how tobacco users can be smarter than tobacco.
Make the Great American Smokeout your time to quit.
Nancy Caspersen, R.N., is a tobacco cessation specialist.
Check out these resources:
Nancy’s Quit and Live program.
November 19, 2008 at 12:05 am |
Millions of Americans will quit smoking on the Great American Smokeout this Thursday. But it’s important to remember that the average smoker quits 7-10 times, so the challenge is not only in quitting originally, but in making sure that you continue to live smoke-free. This year there’s a new idea to help smokers stay quit after the official Smokeout on Thursday. Its called Quit and Stay Quit Monday – smokers who make the decision to quit smoking on the Great American Smokeout can reaffirm their commitment to staying tobacco free on the following Monday and each Monday after that to ensure that they are still tobacco-free. Each week is an opportunity for you to celebrate your progress or recommit to improving your health and well-being. Check out http://www.healthymonday.org/stayquit for more info.
November 19, 2008 at 12:42 am |
Thanks, Joey
Sounds like a great program!