The Voice of Business and Community In Central New York

Fall is a great time To quit smoking           Yes, in just a couple of weeks the hills around Chenango County will be ablaze with color as the changing leaves transform our landscape to a colorful living mural. Fall is here. The mornings are crisp; the days are clear and bright, a wonderful time to be outside. And if you smoke, its a great time to think about quitting. Just think you can be smoke-free for the upcoming holidays. There is more help available today than ever before. Its not easy, but its one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family, said Walt Prindle, the Coordinator of the Chenango Tobacco-Free Coalition. Thousands of people quit successfully each day in this country, and you can be one of them, he continued.
          Everyone knows the hazards of smoking. We hear about it everyday with each new study that comes out. Tobacco kills more people in America every year than alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car accidents, fires and AIDS combined. Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of premature death and disease in our Country.
          The statistics are staggering but behind the statistics there is actually some good news. Did you know that almost as soon as you quit smoking, your body begins to repair itself? After only 20 minutes your blood pressure goes down and your heartbeat stabilizes. Within 8 hours your oxygen level increases and mucus begins to clear out of your lungs making breathing easier. In 24 hours your chance of heart attack decreases. After 48 hours your senses of taste and smell improve. Within 3 months after quitting your circulation and immune systems are improving. Within 9 months sinus congestion, wheezing, shortness of breath and phlegm production decrease and lung function improves. One year after quitting your risk of dying of a heart attack is cut in half. After 5 years your stroke risk and heart attack risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker. 10 years after quitting your lung cancer death rate drops almost completely to the rate for non-smokers. Pre-cancerous cells are replaced with new cells and your incidence of other cancers such as mouth, throat, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases. The benefits of quitting can literally be seen only minutes after finishing your last cigarette, and those benefits increase with each passing day.
          The Chenango Tobacco-Free Coalition is a community based coalition of various agencies and individuals working together toward the common goals of reducing tobacco use in Chenango County as well as reducing exposure to second hand smoke. Among other things, the Coalition helps adults and youth quit smoking by promoting a variety of cessation opportunities such as group classes, individual counseling, ongoing support groups and individual quit kits. Quitting is no longer just a matter of willpower. There are many options for quitters and free help is available. Today many people are helped by nicotine replacement therapy such as the patch, gum, sprays and inhalers. These can help relieve withdrawal symptoms by providing you with nicotine without the intake of tars and poisonous gases. A prescription drug called Zyban, which can reduce cravings, is also effective for some people. It is important that you talk with your healthcare provider about the method that is best suited to your needs. Smoking cessation medications such as Zyban and nicotine replacement therapy are now covered by New York State Medicaid.
          Another resource for smokers who wish to quit is the New York State Smokers Quitline. Dialing a toll free number will put you in touch with a smoking cessation counselor who can answer questions or talk you through tough times. The service is free and available 24 hour a day. The number for the Quitline is 1-888-609-6292.
The Coalition offers the following tips for quitting: ·

When the urge to smoke strikes practice the Five Ds:

• 1. Delay-a minute or two and the urge will pass.
• 2. Drink Water- to fight off cravings and flush toxins out of your body.
• 3. Do Something Else- to distract yourselfwalk, call a friend, or clean the house.
• 4. Deep Breath- It will relax you. Close your eyes and take 10 slow deep breaths.
• 5. Discuss- your thoughts and feelings with someone close to you.

          In addition to promoting cessation services, the Chenango Tobacco-Free Coalition is involved in numerous other activities in the community, including education, worksite assistance programs, media counter advertising, mini grants, and advocacy.
     Remember, if you dont smoke, dont start. If you do smoke, quit now. If you need help call the Chenango Tobacco-Free Coalition at 607-337-4105.

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