If you ask any former smoker about “kicking the habit” they will probably tell you that it was one of the hardest things they have ever done.  November 19, 2009 marks the 34th American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout – a day for smokers to practice what life would be like without cigarettes.

The Great American Smokeout was developed to encourage smokers to stop using tobacco for one day, in hope that they would be inspired to quit altogether. 

The goal is to remind people that “tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S.”  And that by quitting, smokers can increase their life expectancy dramatically.  This fact is even more relevant today as the government debates about health care reform and encourages Americans to live a healthier lifestyle.

The Cancer Society also recognizes the addictive nature of the nicotine in tobacco, so their website is filled with practical tips on how to curb cravings.  It also helps smokers develop a game plan that will take them through the steps of putting their cigarettes away forever.

GIVING UP TOBACCO

Several years ago, I led a smoking cessation program for the American Lung Association that incorporated these same goals.  It was based on the idea that smokers who were informed and prepared for the challenge and had a concrete plan of action were successful. 

Smoking is so deeply ingrained in people’s daily activities, that it prompted one participant to tell me that if he gave up cigarettes, he thought he wouldn’t be able to drive his car again.  He literally didn’t know if he could start his car without lighting up a cigarette first. 

The physical withdrawal of the nicotine was hard for the smokers, but that actually subsided in a relatively short time.  Then people had to deal with the multitude of behaviors they associated with the habit. 

They had to learn what to do with their hands, what to do during breaks at work, how to fill the time at home when they usually smoked and how to handle social situations with friends.

The program helped them develop lots of alternative behaviors for each of these situations (triggers). 

Another participant in the class reported that she had tons of extra time on her hands before she left for the office each morning because she wasn’t reaching for her cigarettes anymore. At first she was worried that she might have a relapse. But then she tried several alternative behaviors such as exercising before work and realized there were lots of new ways to fill the dead time. Ultimately she decided to sleep-in an extra half hour every day.

The quitting process is difficult and that’s why the statistics show that it takes most smokers several tries before they are able to quit for good.

However the successful participants seemed to share several key factors:

• They were in the class for themselves vs. being there at the request of a family member.
• They could envision themselves as non-smokers.
• They stuck to the plan.
• They had the support of others to quit.  

It typically took 3 weeks for the participants to adopt their new behaviors and start to consider themselves non-smokers.  The American Cancer Society lists lots of helpful ideas on how to stay smoke free on their website.

NEW POLICY MAY CHANGE OUR PERSPECTIVE

Ultimately the best decision is to never start smoking and a new law signed by President Obama may accomplish this goal.  The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which was signed on June 22, 2009 turned over the regulation of tobacco products to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). This gives the FDA power over the sale, production and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Lawrence Deyton, M.S.P.H., M.D. will run the program as director of the newly created Center for Tobacco Products. 

Dr. Deyton stated in a press release that his agency plans to “…put into action effective public health strategies to reduce the enormous toll of illness and death caused by tobacco products.”  Currently 400,000 deaths each year in the U.S. are associated with tobacco use.

The agency won’t be allowed to ban tobacco altogether, but it will be able to regulate and even deny new tobacco products.

The FDA will be able to reduce how much nicotine is in cigarettes and ban some cigarette flavoring.  They will also be able to control how tobacco companies advertise their products. Store displays will only be printed in black and white and deceptive phrases such as “low tar” and “light” will be prohibited.

The American Cancer Society is hopeful about the new law because its ultimate goal is to prevent the next generation of Americans from using tobacco, altogether. 

Meanwhile the Great American Smokeout will put the spotlight on the dangers of tobacco and inspire smokers to practice being a non-smoker for the day. 

Please take a look at this petition: Keep Smoking Out of Youth-Rated Movies.

For more, take a look at these posts:

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Killer Crop: Tobacco Facts to Inspire Quitting for a Healthier World  

Great American Smoke out: Make the Pledge, Live Longer, Live Better

Environmentally Friendly Cigarettes?

FDA Regulation of Tobacco will Aid in War against Smoking

Herbs to Help Stop Smoking   l

The Shocking Ingredients in Cigarettes