Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times.
-- Mark Twain
I have several people near and dear to me who smoke, and it worries me. Some do not want to quit and others say they do. But it is harder than just snapping your fingers and saying, "I'm quitting cold turkey."
But don't get me wrong, I'm not picking on smokers. I used to be a social smoker, and it was hard to stop. I still have a craving now and then. Cigarettes can be our friend, our comfort, a diversion or something to do with our hands when we are bored.
And all the while we know that we're harming ourselves.
My father was never able to quit, although I don't remember him ever saying he wanted to. Daddy had cancer when he died in 2006 at 72. He started smoking as a child in the hills of Tennessee, way back when the dangers of smoking weren't talked about much.
My grandfather had a heart attack when he was in his mid-50s. He quit smoking at that time and lived to be 95.
My mother has never smoked or imbibed. She's in her late 70s and does not, in my opinion, look her age. I firmly believe it is because she chose not to indulge in those things, which can affect people's health and looks.
These personal stories suggest that behavior choices make a big difference in our lives. But for many it is hard to do what we know is best for ourselves when we enjoy doing the things that are not.
Folks with food or alcohol addictions can easily find meetings, programs or support groups that address the addiction. Tobacco support groups do not seem to be talked about so much. But unlike the legendary snipe, they really do exist.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health website (healthy.arkansas.gov), more than 5,800 people die from tobacco-related illnesses each year in our state.
To help foster a tobacco-free society, the department has a Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. Smokers seeking help can call the Arkansas Tobacco Quitline at (800) 784-8669. It's a free, 24-hour direct line to trained "quit coaches." They offer an online community of support, a smartphone mobile app and text-messaging program, and access to nicotine replacement therapy (while supplies last).
The American Lung Association (lung.org) launched its Freedom From Smoking program in 1975 and its group clinic program in 1981. The curriculum includes information on nicotine-replacement therapy (gum, inhalers, patches, lozenges or nasal spray), smoking-cessation medications and a variety of proven techniques for quitting.
More information is at ffsonline.org. But it's not free; the fee ranges from $15 for three months to $40 for one year.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Freedom From Smoking group started a new round of free meetings last week. They meet from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays and will run for seven weeks at the UAMS College of Public Health, Room G232. There is no cost to participate, and it is not too late to join.
Contact certified tobacco treatment specialist Pat Franklin at plfranklin@uams.edu or call (501) 944-5934.
In Mountain Home there's the Better Breathers Club. Free meetings are held in two places at Baxter Regional Medical Center.
• The Mruk Family Education Center on Aging at 2 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. Contact Karen Ezell at kezell@baxterregional.org, or call (870) 508-1599.
• The Peitz Cancer Support House. Each class has three sessions, and they meet once a month. Call (870) 508-2273.
There is such a thing as Nicotine Anonymous. It offers literature online in 17 languages and phone meetings. Go to nicotine-anonymous.org.
Email me at:
rboggs@arkansasonline.com
ActiveStyle on 08/01/2016