Published: January 28, 2009 08:59 am      

Help is within reach for smokers

More Iowans than ever are quitting smoking, and new approaches continue to emerge. From support services to over the counter medications, to prescription drugs, people now have a variety of tools to help them overcome their addiction to tobacco.

Gov. Culver announced several weeks ago that smoking has dropped among Iowans to 18 percent, down from 20 percent. This is a major accomplishment that we have seen since the smoke-free air act passed in July 2008. Since January is a time for many resolutions, including trying to quit smoking, we thought we would list some commonly asked questions that people have when beginning on the quest to become tobacco free:

Q: Why should people quit smoking?

A: Quite simply, cigarettes kill. They are the leading cause of preventable disease in Iowa and kill one third of individuals who use them. If you smoke, quitting is the single best way to improve your health. In Iowa alone, there are 4,500 smoking-related deaths each year, while health care expenses now reach $1 billion annually.

Here's the good news. Whether you have just started or have smoked for decades, quitting now is one of the best things you can do for your health. Studies show that those who quit as late as age 65 will gain an extra 1.4 to 3.7 years of life. And if you quit before 30, your life expectancy will be extended by more than a decade. So it is never too early to quit smoking.

Q: What is the best way to quit using tobacco?

A: Quitting is a personal journey, but there are three parts to an effective quit attempt:

1. Have a plan

2. Use FDA-approved medication

3. Get cessation counseling

Q: Why not go cold turkey?

A: Quitting without any assistance, or cold turkey, only works 5 percent of the time. Using a plan, medication and counseling together can be eight times more effective.

Q: How do I make a plan?

A: We recommend the START method to prepare for quitting:

Set a quit date

Tell family, friends and co-workers that you plan to quit.

Anticipate and plan for the challenges you’ll face while quitting.

Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products form your home, car, and work.

Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit.

Q: What medications are out there?

A: There are five types of nicotine replacement therapy and two prescription drugs, Zyban, and Chantix. These medications can provide invaluable assistance to a person who wants to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Which, if any, medication is best for a specific person depends upon their smoking behavior, their health, other medications they may be taking, and other techniques they are using to quit. All medications may have adverse effects, so discuss the use of these medications with your health care provider to determine which might work best for you. Remember, medicine alone can't do all the work. It can help with cravings and withdrawal, but quitting will still be hard at times.

Q: What is nicotine replacement therapy ?

A: NRT is the technical name for nicotine containing quit aids such as over the counter patches, gum and lozenges. The term is also used to describe prescription inhalers, and nasal sprays.

Since NRT products have nicotine, they can cause side effects.

Q: How soon do you reap the benefits of quitting?

A: Almost immediately. According to the American Cancer Society, 20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate drops. Within two days, your chance for a heart attack decreases and your ability to taste and smell improves. Within weeks, your heart attack risk begins to drop and your lung function begins to improve. And within nine months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease, lung function improves 30 percent, and your circulation will improve. Long term, the risk of coronary heart disease is halved after one year and returns to that of a non-smoker in as little as five years after quitting. Also, the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decrease after 10 years.

Q: Who has the hardest time quitting?

A: Everyone. The average smoker may need seven or more attempts to finally succeed.

Q: What resources are available to Iowans?

A: Perhaps the best known resource for people in our state is Quitline Iowa (1-800-QUIT-NOW). Quit coaches work with individuals to create a quit plan and offer two weeks worth of NRT patches or gum. All services are free and the program has been very successful. Iowa Medicaid members are able to receive up to 12 weeks of NRT or FDA approved medication (Chantix or Zyban) at no cost once every 12 months. Talk to your provider for more information.

Q: What if I fail?

A: Don’t get discouraged if you happen to slip up in your quit attempt.

Many people relapse in the early weeks of quitting, when the withdrawal symptoms are the strongest.

Quitting can sometimes be like fighting a thousand little battles; you may lose one or two, but just remember that if you do lapse, you are not a failure.

Understand what happened, prepare yourself for how you would handle the situation differently next time and get right back to quitting!

If you have questions please contact me at 243-2124 or jgerdes@asac.us



Jennifer Gerdes is chairwoman of the Breathe Easy Tobacco Free Coalition of Clinton and Jackson counties.