BLOOMINGTON—IU Health Community Health and the Monroe County Tobacco Coalition are encouraging tobacco users to take the first step to cessation by quitting or quitting as part of the Great American Smokeout.
“The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout is celebrated on the third Thursday of November and is an opportunity for smokers to join thousands of others across the United States as they decide to quit smoking and tobacco in general,” said IU Health Community Health Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Kristen Terry.
The nicotine in tobacco products is very addictive, and having a good quit plan can help individuals in their cessation goals. SmokeFree.gov lists the following steps for having a successful quit plan:
- Pick a quit date
- Let loved ones know you are quitting
- Remove reminders of smoking
- Identify your reasons for quitting smoking
- Identify your smoking triggers
- Develop coping strategies
- Have places you can turn to for immediate help
- Set up rewards for Quit Milestones
“Having a solid quit plan is especially important for the holiday season,” said Terry. “While the holidays are exciting, they can also be stressful, and it’s essential to be prepared so you know how to handle the triggers that might pop up and affect your cessation progress.”
Call 1.800.Quit.Now for help from a trained quit coach and get started on your plan. You can also call this number for free, evidence-based tobacco cessation support. Visit QuitNowIndiana.com to learn more.
For local tobacco prevention and control efforts, visit the Tobacco Free Coalition of Monroe County on Facebook.
