South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control is joining agencies across the country to let people know that Thursday, November 17th is The Great American Smokeout.
"According to research done by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 70 percent of adult smokers want to quit, and they want to find out how they can do it," said Katy Wynne, tobacco cessation consultant in DHEC's Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control. "DHEC encourages South Carolinians who smoke or use other forms of tobacco to take advantage of the services we offer to help them stop tobacco use on this day set aside for quitting by the American Cancer Society.
The state has a Tobacco Quitline, which offers free coaching and access to Web-based support. It's open from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. Monday-Sunday at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
DHEC says the quitline program has helped more than 20,500 of the state's tobacco users since it began in August 2006.
The online course can be accessed here.
Wynne has these suggestions also recommends the following tips for success once the tobacco user decides to quit:
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.
Stock up on oral substitutes - sugarless gum, carrot and celery sticks, hard candy, cinnamon sticks, coffee stirrers, straws, and/or toothpicks.
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.
