A GIFT for the New Year Gain Independence from Tobacco

A GIFT for the New Year—Gain Independence from Tobacco

Even though obesity is a major health concern in the United States, the number one preventable health behavior remains the same: smoking. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, accounting for approximately 443,000 deaths, or 1 of every 5 deaths, in the United States each year. An estimated 45.3 million people, or 19.3% of all adults (aged 18 years or older), in the United States smoke cigarettes.

Both obesity and tobacco are issues that need to be addressed together to improve the health of the community.

Tobacco users who want to quit constantly search for ‘what really works’. The person most likely asked ‘what works’ is a relative or friend that has quit in the past. Not a bad idea, as experience can bring knowledge, but each tobacco user must remember that people use tobacco for different reasons. Tobacco is also used differently by each individual and users bring different predisposing genetic factors and environmental situations to each quitting experience. What may work for one person may not work for another. This can be frustrating as well as detrimental and leads to thoughts of failure: Why can’t I quit if they did? Maybe I’m not as smart as they are, I am weaker than them or I just don’t have any willpower. These are negative thoughts that enter the user’s mind that are just not true.

Nicotine dependence is the most common form of chemical dependence in the United States. Research suggests that nicotine may be as addictive, if not more than, heroin, cocaine, or alcohol. Tobacco Dependence should be viewed as a chronic disease that may require several attempts at treatment, which may include a different quit method on each attempt.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the most recent Clinical Guidelines for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence in 2008. The Guidelines include evidenced-based ways to quit. This means that many studies on quitting have been repeated several times and found each time that certain ways to quit produce greater success. Today there are seven different first-line effective treatments of smoking cessation medication or over the counter NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy). Counseling, such as quitline counseling, is also an effective tobacco cessation (quitting) strategy.

The seven first-line (FDA-approved) medications identified were Bupropion SR, NRT – gum, lozenges, inhaler, nasal spray and patch and varenicline. Each of these methods has been documented to increase the rate of long-term smoking abstinence – staying quit. Not all first line medications are appropriate for all populations and certain ones may be contraindicated – depending on certain medical conditions or other medications that are taken. Combinations of certain front-line medications are also effective, but only the patch and bupropion combination is approved by the FDA for smoking cessation.

Combining medication with counseling will produce greater success at quitting. Other resources include the 1(800) quit now - quit line. Major not-for profit organizations like the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and Cancer Society have resources available for those that are seeking out advice and direction.

Please consult with a health care provider before starting any tobacco cessation program.

Locally, Augusta Health provides the GIFT class – Gain Independence From Tobacco. It is a behavior change/counseling group class of people that are trying to also quit using tobacco. It explores all of the front-line quit methods and encourages each person’s individual choice. For more information on quitting methods or which one is right for you please call Dana Breeding, RN Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist at 332-4988.