Nearly one in every four people in the United States smokes cigarettes. Twenty-seven percent of those smokers are between the ages of 18 and 24. Cigarettes kill more Americans than car accidents, suicide, alcohol, AIDS, homicide and illegal drugs combined. Smoking not only causes many different kinds of cancer, but it is also a major contributor to heart disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, stroke and pneumonia.Based on data collected from 1995 to 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that adult male smokers lost an average of 13.2 years of life and female smokers lost 14.5 years of life due to smoking. Most people don’t realize that the effects of smoking are this serious. They also might not realize that they may need help when it comes time to quit.
There is no better time to quit By Emily O’Keeffe Special to The Quad By Adria Eichner Staff Writer than now. The Great American Smoke Out has been going strong since 1974 when Lynn R. Smith, editor of the Moticello Times in Minnesota held the first “Don’t Smoke Day.” The idea inspired many people to join in. Soon enough, the American Cancer Society caught wind of the idea on Nov. 18, 1976 and prompted nearly one million smokers to quit. Since 1976, the Great American Smoke Out has been helping more and more people kick the habit.
An abundance of information sits at your fingertips to help you through the quitting process. The Student Wellness Center on campus offers Tobacco Cessation Quit Kits which include a booklet entitled “Before You Quit: A Two Week Plan,” gum, puzzles and a few other distractions to keep your mind off of the cravings through the initial phase. You can also attend a “Quitter’s Crash Course Workshop” which are scheduled monthly (call 610-436-3276 for dates and times or go to the WCU Wellness Center Web site). For help outside school, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is always there to help with their 24-hour “Quit Line” (1-877-724-1090). The National Cancer Institute has a quit line as well (1-877-44U-QUIT).
If these methods don’t seem like they will work for you, there are many medications that might do the trick. A few different brand names carry nicotine gum, inhalers, lozenges, nasal spray and patches. According to Smokefree. gov, using these medications can double your chances of quitting for good. They help your body ease into a lifestyle without nicotine instead of just quitting cold turkey. Just make sure you talk to your doctor before using any of these products. There are endless amounts of resources, courses, help lines and much more to ease the stress and diffi-culty associated with putting the butt out.
One thing you must remember to do no matter what route you decide to take is to devise a plan. Ask yourself these three questions: Why do I want to quit? What method will I use to quit? How do I stay smoke free? Good luck and remember, there are always ways to get help if you need it.