Lots of folks wish that they could simply push the magic button and achieve a goal like quitting the smoking habit, and while there is no such magic button, there is help.
The New Year is at hand, and with it comes many traditions and new opportunities. Many people look to the New Year as a time to try something new, make positive changes, and support their loved ones in their efforts to make healthy decisions.
For tobacco users, the New Year can be a great time to quit smoking. Family and friends can help to support and motivate people in their efforts to quit. Local Health Departments across Michigan’s Great Southwest remind you that by making your home and car smoke-free, you can set a tobacco-free example and protect nonsmokers from the health harms caused by secondhand smoke exposure.
Family gatherings present a chance for family elders to talk to kids about the dangers of tobacco use, including the use of e-cigarettes. Kelly Mapes is Community Health Educator for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. She says, “Quitting tobacco can be challenging because nicotine is a highly addictive drug. The good news is that there are resources available to help, and the health benefits are immense.”
According to the American Cancer Society, the benefits of quitting smoking are immediate. Within 20 minutes blood pressure drops, and within 24 hours a person’s chance of heart attack decreases. The benefits continue for years, including reduced risk of lung cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
Research shows that while quitting is difficult for most tobacco users, people who use tobacco can increase their success in quitting with help. Quitters are most successful when using a combination of therapies, including resources such as nicotine replacement, counseling, self-help materials, and a strong support network of family and friends.
The Michigan Tobacco Quitline is an evidence-based service that continues to provide free telephone coaching for the uninsured, pregnant women, residents enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare, veterans, cancer patients, and American Indians. In addition to telephone coaching, the Quitline can provide free nicotine replacement therapy to those who qualify.
All Michigan residents, not just those in the groups specified, can receive materials, text messaging and referral through the Quitline. New this year is an online, interactive coaching program option. The same program that is available on the phone can now be done online with the Quitline’s specially trained web coaches.
Providers can refer patients and clients to the Quitline, and individual tobacco users can contact the Quitline directly at 1-800-784-8669 or enroll online at the link below:
https://michigan.quitlogix.org/
Additional information, including a fax referral form for providers, is available at the website. Staff and providers in all health care settings can refer patients and clients to the Michigan Tobacco Quitline.
To learn about what the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has to offer, see their new website at www.bhsj.org and follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bhsjwic.
- Branch County 570 N. Marshall Rd. Coldwater, MI 49036 (517) 279-9561
- Hillsdale County 20 Care Drive Hillsdale, MI 49242 (517) 437-7395
- Three Rivers 1110 Hill St. Three Rivers, MI 49093 (269) 273-2161
- Sturgis Office 1555 E. Chicago Rd. Sturgis, MI 49091 (269) 273-2161 Wednesday & Thursday
