MedWatch- The Great American Smoke Out from Medwatch 7 KSWO on Vimeo.
LAWTON, OK (KSWO)- The Great American Smoke Out is tomorrow.
Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smoke Out event to encourage tobacco users to quit at least for one day.
By quitting – even for 1 day – smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk, but health officials hope this day will motivate you to quit for a lifetime.
“This day is really important because again it’s a way for people to know that they can quit smoking. It’s also a way for them to see that people do care about it. And they are providing healthy environments to make it easier.”
CCMH’s Healthy living program director, Sandy Foster says the hospital is and has been a tobacco-free campus for a while now. She says even the smell of smoke can trigger someone who’s trying to quit to light up.
“We are really concerned about making sure that our environment is healthy here at the hospital– that we take into consideration people’s health. It’s important for us to make sure that our patients and people that are visiting our hospital aren’t subjected to some of those issues that come along with second-hand smoke.”
She says there are many services to help you quit, including the Oklahoma tobacco helpline. These services include web coaching, phone calls, and text messages. She says all you have to do is call to see what all you are eligible for.
“It’s a really big deal. It’s a free service to Oklahomans that use tobacco. Some of them are even eligible for two free weeks patches or gum. That service has helped thousands of Oklahomans stop using tobacco in the last 15 years.”
She went on to say – it often takes more than one try to quit using tobacco products but the important part is that you try. One thing to do, is set a quit date.
“Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances that we know of. It’s more difficult to quit than heroin, crack cocaine, alcohol. It’s just really works a little bit more on your brain the way that it talks to your brain.”
The Leah M. Fitch Cancer Center in Lawton will be handing out quit kits tomorrow. All you have to do is show up at the cancer center and exchange your tobacco products for a quit kit.
If you or someone you know needs help kicking the habit you can call The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-quit-now or visit okhelpline.com.
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