Thibodaux Regional Medical Center’s North Hospital project complete
October 20, 2006Weight Watchers and AA have been longtime support groups for harmful addictions and habits. Smoking, which is one of the most common addictions in the United States, now offers a support system via telephone for those desperately trying to kick the habit.
Smokers and smokeless tobacco users can get help and information by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, and over the last year, Louisiana smokers have used it frequently.
In August 2005, the Quit Smoking hotline began operation by the American Cancer Society, and the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) began to fund this program in the state.
Within the last year, our state had the fourth highest call volume in the nation. TFL reported records of calls from the Tri-parishes in the last year. Terrebonne Parish led the three with 150 calls from different parties, and Lafourche followed with 87 while there were 59 calls from different individuals in St. Mary Parish.
“Secondhand smoke education through mass media and community-based programs is grabbing the attention of smokers and their families and friends,” says Tante Chatman, Thibodaux Area Regional coordinator for the Louisiana Campaign for TFL. “The volume of quit-line calls over the past year indicates that Louisianans are beginning to understand the real health effects of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. It’s a sign that we’re making great progress in the movement towards a smoke-free state.”
While the American Cancer Society and the Louisiana Campaign for TFL are going to great lengths to help smokers by offering a support hotline, the tobacco industry is finding ways to keep smokers hooked. It would be much more difficult to beat an addiction when receiving higher doses of the addictive substance, and that’s just what is happening.
The Massachusetts Department of Health reported that the level of nicotine found in cigarettes has increased by about 10 percent.
“Greater amounts of nicotine in tobacco products makes it easier for people to get addicted and also more difficult for them to quit,” said Dr. Charles Brown, TFL Steering Committee chairman. “This means that the demand for professional services to help combat tobacco addiction will likely continue to rise.”
A call to 1-800-QUIT-NOW provides free, confidential counseling for smokers and family and friends of smokers, who are looking for support, education, and referrals to aid in their fight against smoking. Self-help and educational materials can be mailed to callers upon request, said Jason Melancon, Louisiana TFL representative.
Most callers are smokers, who have already made the decision to quit, but want to know what else is available to help them, he said.
The operators are trained professionals and usually refer a caller to a local community center or give the caller a list of places in the area offering all forms of help, such as free group therapy programs offered through the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking Clinics and the Tobacco Control Initiative within the public hospitals system. Most hotline users hear about the number through advertisement and call when they may just need a little support.
“Some of the callers are people who have quit smoking for long periods of time, and they may get the urge to smoke during a weak moment,” Melancon said. “By calling, the counselor can help the ex-smoker not to light up just by being someone to talk to.”
For those new to quitting, operators in their area serve as a sponsor, who will actually call back to check up on progress made. The average caller will receive about five callbacks from their local “phone buddy,” and in the case of a pregnant smoker striving to quit, a minimum of eight call-backs are made, Melancon said.
The number of calls to 1-800-QUIT-NOW is expected to increase in the next year because of the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act (Act 815), which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2007. Act 815 prohibits smoking in most indoor places, including restaurants, to protect Louisianans from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
“Act 815 is a major step toward a healthier Louisiana,” Brown said. “1-800-QUIT-NOW will no doubt continue to be a key resource to help Louisianans embrace healthy lifestyles choices and changes.”
For more information, TFL in online at www.mytfl.org. For help quitting and to learn more about local Freedom From Smoking clinics, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).
