COMMIT TO QUIT SMOKING TODAY
If you’re a smoker, the odds are good that you’ve tried to quit.
Were you successful?
We all know someone who has relapsed or required multiple attempts to get away and stay away from cigarettes. What if there
was a simple and more successful way for you or someone you
love to finally quit for good?
Commit to Quit is a campaign implemented by the Kentucky Medical Association and the Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care
where smokers can talk directly to physicians and use all available
resources to keep cigarettes from controlling them. It’s just that
easy.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR
Patients who have their doctor’s active support in quitting smoking report abstinence success rates four to five times higher than
those who attempt to quit on their own. Physicians can give you
an overall picture of your health before you begin to quit and also
recommend ways to make quitting easier. Don’t forget that your
doctor is there to help. Here are some important questions to
discuss with your physician so you can Commit to Quit.
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I have been a smoker for __ years. What difference will
it make if I quit now?
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How can prescription or over-the-counter medications
help me quit smoking?
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Which medication would you recommend for me? What
are the potential side effects?
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What should I do when I feel the urge to smoke?
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How can my family and friends help me on my journey
to quit smoking?
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I have tried to quit before and was unsuccessful. What
can I do this time to make sure things are different?
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What withdrawal symptoms can I expect?
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Will I gain weight if I quit smoking?
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What risks am I posing to my body and health if I continue
smoking?
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How can I prevent a smoking relapse? What happens if
I do relapse?
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What is the single best thing I can do to quit smoking?
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Will smoking cessation become easier over time?
USE ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES
Quitting smoking is a life long commitment. While some people
may be able to quit cold turkey, without interventions, others
need counseling or medicine to kick the habit. Once you meet
with your physician, you can set out on your journey to be rid of
cigarettes entirely. There are so many resources available to help
you on this journey. Taking advantage of the resources in your life
is part two of Commit to Quit. A few suggestions are listed below,
but for more visit www.committoquitky.com.
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Find a family member or friend who can quit with you.
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Remove all cigarettes and tobacco products from your
home, office and vehicle.
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Set some initial goals. These could be anything
from reducing the number of cigarettes you
smoke per day to quitting completely by the end of the
calendar year.
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Set a date to quit, and develop a plan to make it happen.
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Tell your family and friends that you plan to quit smoking,
and explain how they can help.
Stock up on healthy snacks and sugar-free gum, which
will help control cravings.
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Take things one day a time, and stay positive!
VITAL SIGNS Volume 11 • Issue 3