Which Will You Do? Lose Weight, Quit Smoking, or Get the Kids to Clean Their Rooms?
January 10, 2003
It can’t be that time of year again, time to make a New Year’s resolution. Mine is usually to lose some weight…however that thought usually lasts about as long as the pumpkin pie! In addition to losing weight, quitting smoking or using spit tobacco are other common resolutions. But the unpleasant withdrawal of nicotine and the fear of gaining weight often make it difficult for people to become ex-smokers or chewers.
One of the main goals of the Kiowa County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program (KCTEPP) is to assist those who would like to kick the habit. The Center for Disease Control states that a large majority of current smokers (85%) report they would like to quit. But because nicotine is a very addictive drug, quitting and staying tobacco free is very difficult for most people. The good news is that many smokers and chewers do succeed in quitting, and there are numerous resources available.
One common method of quitting is going "cold turkey". Although this method has proved most successful, it is also the most difficult. Other options include using medication such as Nicotine gum, nasal sprays, patches, inhalers and now lozenges. Colorado’s Quitline and Quitnet provide residents with free cessation support either over the phone or via the internet. (Quitline (1-800-639-7848) or Quitnet www.co.quitnet.com). For more information on the Quitline/Quitnet, or assistance in placing your first call or on-line contact, please call Pegi Hueller at (719) 438-5492 or (719) 438-5938.
Locally, Eads Medical Clinic, Wiley Medical Clinic, and Kiowa Healthmart have quit kits available for both smokers and spit tobacco users. Additionally, KCTEPP has special kits which are specifically tailored for youth, diabetics, or pregnant women. All kits include various aids and written information to assist in your cessation attempts.
Wanting to quit smoking or chewing is a great start to your overall success. You may also want to ask yourself the following questions before you actually try to stop.
1. Why do you want to quit? 2. When you tried to quit in the past, what helped and what didn’t? 3. What will be the most difficult situations of you after you quit? How will you plan to handle them? 4. Who can help you through the tough times? Your family? Friends? 5. What pleasures to you get from smoking/chewing? In what way can you still get pleasure if you quit?
Studies have shown there are five steps which should help you quit and quit for good. You have the best chances if you use them together.
Get Ready (set a quit date, get rid of ALL cigarettes and chew cans, don’t let people smoke in your home)
1. Get support and encouragement (tell your family, friends, and co-workers, get individual, group or telephone support)
2. Learn new skills and behaviors (distract yourself from urges, talk to someone, change your routine, reduce your stress, drink a lot of water, exercise)
3. Get medication and use it correctly
4. Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations (most occur in the first three months, don’t be discouraged, most people try several times before finally quitting)
If you are interested in quitting or have recently quit smoking or chewing, KCTEPP would like to hear from you!
Have a resolution to try something new? If you like meeting new people, seeing old friends, or being involved in your community, KCTEPP encourages you to attend one of our coalition meetings. Held monthly throughout the county, these meetings are open to everyone regardless of tobacco use or nonuse status. Meetings are usually scheduled for the first Monday of the month at 1:00pm, Towner Senior Center; first Monday of the month at 7:00pm at the Kiowa County Courthouse Meeting Room; and the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm at the Haswell Community Building.
If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to call Pegi Hueller, (719) 438-5492 or (719) 438-5938 or e-mail at kcbreathefresh@hotmail.com.