Letter: Great American Smokeout Is Nov. 16
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To the Editor:
The Great American Smokeout is Thursday, Nov. 16, a great day to remind clients, friends, and family about quitting smoking or any tobacco use.
Developed by the American Cancer Society, the Great American Smokeout is a perfect opportunity to think about quitting and its many benefits — physically, mentally, and financially, and maybe even plan a quit attempt. Remember, quitting can take many tries and help is always available for any tobacco user who wants to quit, whether on November 16 or at any other time.
You can help smokers and other tobacco users by encouraging them to keep trying to quit and by offering them the following suggestions:
- Consider talking to a FREE quit coach. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). The Mass. Smokers Helpline is open 24 hours each day, seven days a week (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) and experienced coaches are ready to help. Now you can also enroll online through KeepTryingMA.org. Online supports include quit planning tools, peer support and motivational text messages.
- Consider medications to increase your chances of quitting. MassHealth and many other insurance companies cover quit smoking medicines with little or no copay.
- Try medicines like the nicotine patch, gum or lozenge to further your chances of being successful and quitting for good. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit KeepTryingMA.org and receive one month of FREE nicotine replacement help (with medical eligibility).
- People who use coaching and medicines together are three times as likely to quit for good as those who use neither so keep trying to quit.
Thanks for your support of smokers and other tobacco users on Nov. 16 and any time. Quitting can take repeated attempts, and, for many people, it's the hardest thing they've done. Yet with the help of the Mass Smokers Helpline and the support of others during the Great American Smokeout, every user can become tobacco free and begin a journey to better health.
To see a video about the MA Smokers Helpline, please visit KeepTryingMA.org to access online or phone support. Contact Joyce Brewer at the Berkshire Tobacco-Free Community Partnership at the Berkshire Area Health Education Center or at jbrewer@berkshireahec.org to learn more about the impact tobacco has on your community.
Joyce Brewer
Brewer is the contract manager at Berkshire AHEC for the Berkshire Tobacco-Free Community Partnership
