Great American Smokeout Starting Soon

The following press release was sent to wspa.com on Wednesday by DHEC:

The Great American Smokeout offers tobacco users an opportunity to "quit for keeps" starting Thursday, November 20, Region 1 S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today. November 20, also starts the policy of “Tobacco-Free Campuses” at all Region 1 Health Departments. A campus is defined as the interior and exterior of all buildings and grounds to include parking lots and walkways.

Region 1 Health Director Dr. Becky Campbell stated, "As a public health agency it is important that we support policies that discourage the use of tobacco products. We ask our clients and visitors to our facilities to join our employees in refraining from tobacco use in our facilities, grounds and parking lots. The Great American Smokeout Day is a good time to take advantage of the many tools available to break the tobacco habit. We offer our assistance to other businesses and organizations who would like to join us in adopting the same policy."

"According to research done by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70 percent of adult smokers want to quit," said Katy Wynne, tobacco cessation consultant in DHEC's Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control. "DHEC encourages South Carolinians who smoke to take advantage of the services our agency offers to help them stop tobacco use on this day set aside for quitting by the American Cancer Society.

"The S.C. Tobacco Quitline is a free phone-based counseling service available to all state residents," Wynne said. "Callers are assigned a personal Quit Coach, who offers support and helps them formulate a plan to make their quit attempt successful."

The Quitline is available from 8 a.m. to midnight seven days a week by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Tobacco users also can learn about hospital-based cessation resources available in their communities by visiting an interactive map at: http://www.scdhec.gov/quitforkeeps.

Wynne also recommends the following tips for quitting tobacco use:

*Set a quit date. Circle the day on your calendar, and create a plan that includes personal goals and rewards for reaching those milestones.

*Throw out all the cigarette packs or tobacco products in your house and vehicle.

*Talk to your doctor. Given your medical history and the number of years you've smoked, he or she will be able to recommend a cessation medication.

*Look for patterns. If you find that you always crave a cigarette during your mid-morning coffee break, try changing your pattern.

*Tell friends and family you're quitting. They can often be your biggest cheerleaders. Ask them to drop an occasional e-mail, postcard or phone call to keep you motivated.

*Look into joining a support group or call the S.C. Tobacco Quitline. There are people just like you who are also interested in talking about their tobacco addiction.

For more information about the S.C. Tobacco Quitline and other cessation resources, http://www.scdhec.com/quitforkeeps