It’s time to smoke-out a bad habit

Every year the third Thursday of November becomes a starting point for some 45 million Americans who are smokers - many of whom who would like to quit. It's the observance of the annual Great American Smoke-out, which this year is Thursday, November 19.

"There has never been a better time to quit smoking and enjoy the health benefits," according to Dolly Frey, a respiratory therapist at St. Luke. In fact, on November 19, St. Luke Community Hospital will once again join the fight against tobacco use with a "Quit for a day - quit for a lifetime" display in the lobby of the Ronan hospital.

During the American Cancer Society's Annual Great American Smoke-Out, Frey will be on hand with information about smoking and a pledge sheet for those who make the decision to quit smoking for at least one day. Those visiting the display will also be able to sign up for a free lung function test and will be supplied with free motivational aids such as a tobacco cessation packet. Also visitors will get a free evaluation of blood-oxygen levels.

This year during the Great American Smoke Out there will be an additional emphasis on chewing tobacco. "In the past as many as one-quarter to one-third of those who have talked to us about tobacco use were chewers," Frey observes. "However, overall there seems to be an increase in the number of people who chew because they apparently think it's safer...which isn't true at all."

400,000 people die each year of tobacco-related illnesses, making it the single greatest cause of preventable death in the United States. And for every eight smokers who die, one non-smoker will die from second-hand smoke according to Maggie Roddam, head of the cardiopulmonary department at St. Luke.

"Kids are especially vulnerable because kids learn by example," she points out. "If the adults in their lives smoke, chances are they will too." However, Roddam adds that those who have not taken up smoking by age 19 have an 80 percent likelihood that they will never use tobacco.

October 1, 2008, all properties owned and leased by St. Luke Community Healthcare became tobacco free. A year later marked full implementation of the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act which requires all enclosed public places and workplaces, including bars, taverns, and casinos, to be smoke free.

Roddam, a former smoker herself, offers suggestion to those who are taking steps to give up the habit. "Make non-smokers your friends," she advises, "because everyone needs reinforcement and praise for their efforts." Other actions that have proved successful include chewing on coffee stirrers "since they have no calories." Brush your teeth often and to call the Montana Quit Line at 1-800-Quit-Now. "People who use the Montana Tobacco Quit Line are 7 to 10 times more likely to quit than those trying to quit on their own," says Roddam.

Those who want to find out more about how they can learn to kick the tobacco habit can visit the St. Luke Community Hospital lobby from 10 a.m to 2 p.m., Thursday, November 19. Everyone visiting the Ronan hospital will be able to register for a complete "Help Basket" providing tools for healthy lungs and healthy lives.
Share