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December 2020
ARMC Tobacco Cessation Department
Holiday Issue
Currently, the Tobacco Cessation Department at Anaheim Regional Medical Center (ARMC) serves over 3,700 people who want to quit smoking each year. On average, this means the department helps 10 people quit smoking every single day. With a staff of 11 and services offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Farsi, the Tobacco Cessation Department has come a long way since 2003, when it was first established at ARMC.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
In October - November, we helped 232 people quit smoking!
NEW-LUNG has helped people who want to quit smoking and vaping. Below is the number of people who have received NEW-LUNG services this quarter.
October
Adults 129
TOTAL 129
NOVEMBER
Adults 103
TOTAL 103
If you know anyone who is ready to quit smoking, call 1-866-639-5864. Free services in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Farsi.
SEE WHAT’S INSIDE
03 HOW TO AVOID RELAPSE OVER THE HOLIDAYS
04 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: QUITTING SMOKING
05 REASONS TO QUIT SMOKING DURING THE HOLIDAYS
06 BENEFITS OF QUITTING DURING THE HOLIDAYS
07 LIMIT YOUR TOBACCO USE
08 HOLIDAY GIFT FROM NEW-LUNG
How to Avoid a Smoking Relapse Over the Holidays
The holidays can cause former smokers to reach for a cigarette. But if you expect
temptation, you can prepare to fight it.
Here are some tips to stay smoke-free during the holidays:
Think back. Remember why you quit smoking in the first place. Write down the top three reasons for quitting and post this list in a visible place to serve as a reminder and motivator to not smoke.
Be proactive. Have a plan in place that plans how to handle triggers, such as alcohol or overeating, which can lead to cigarette cravings. Instead, be prepared with low-calorie snacks, gum, or water. Have a plan for all possible triggers.
Don't give in. When the urge to smoke hits, do one of the following: delay smoking until the urge passes, drink water, distract yourself by doing something else, try deep breathing, or find a friend or relative and discuss how you are feeling. Treat yourself. Staying smoke-free deserves a reward. Use the money saved from not buying cigarettes to buy something new.
Get help. If a relapse occurs, don't wait to seek help from your doctor or local smoking cessation resources. It's important to get back on track immediately. Many people don't quit on their first attempt. Getting support and expert help increases the odds of long-term success.
Citation:
Quitting Cigarettes: How to handle one of the toughest New Year’s resolutions
A study from the United Kingdom’s Royal Society of Public Health found that “quitting smoking is the most difficult resolution to keep," but despite the difficulty, quitting smoking is one of the most common, potentially beneficial, and consistently challenging resolutions.
For most people, however, the New Year’s resolution process itself is flawed. They rush into a significant commitment, often without a plan. The crucial first step often overlooked is to design a specific plan for each person, a written document that is personal, targeted, realistic, and sustainable. Resolutions fail for many reasons. They often fail because they are not “focused, specific or organized". They need to be achievable and measurable on a day-to-day basis.
Recommendations
Expect setbacks, unforeseen hazards, and occasional lapses.
Be prepared to start over, but commit to keep trying.
If the goal of quitting completely seems too challenging, set a goal of reducing smoking. A 50 percent reduction in
cigarettes per day can help some people get started toward the ultimate goal of being smoke-free.
Line up support in advance.
Strategies
Ask your doctor about specific tools that could help, such as nicotine-replacement therapy and tobacco cessation classes.
Avoid substances such as alcohol that tend to be triggers for tobacco use. Meanwhile, try replacing tobacco with healthier oral stimulation like gum. When you feel the urge to smoke, brush your teeth instead.
Exercise can provide a huge boost and help prevent weight gain that can happen when smokers eat when they feel the urge to light up.
Reward yourself for progress along the way.
Citation:
Reasons To Quit Smoking In The Spirit of the Season
The holiday season can be very merry and sweet. Holiday shopping, juggling extra social commitments on top of your regular workload and family obligations can also add up to a stocking full of stress. For some people, now may not be the right time to quit smoking. In reality, now, is the perfect time to quit smoking.
6. You can quit together
If others in your family smoke, the holidays are the perfect time for you to decide to go through the quitting process together.
7. You’ll save money for other things
The holiday season can be expensive. However, quitting can help save money for the things that matter - the things your whole family can enjoy together.
8. It’s a time of change
The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to reflect on how the year has gone and what we want to change in the future. Take this opportunity to make a change that will benefit your health in the new year.
9. You’re giving a gift to yourself
Quitting tobacco use will improve your health, fitness and help you live longer. That means you’ll be around for plenty of more holiday seasons to come – and what better gift is there than that!
1. Your family is around
Quitting smoking is a difficult process and it can be helpful to have your loved ones around to support you when you are
2. Food fills your cravings
Nicotine is addictive and quitting results in cravings for smoke during the withdrawal period. Take advantage of all the yummy food around to satisfy your cravings.
3. It’s a gift for your family
Making an effort to quit around your family shows that you’re committed to them and to be a good role model for the young ones. That’s the best gift you can give.
4. There’s a positive mood around
Quitting can make you grumpy. However, it’s hard to stay mad when you’re around the spirit of the season
5. You can quit together
If others in your family smoke, the holidays are the perfect time for you to decide to go through
the quitting process together.
Citation:
https://www.keahealth.com/blog/reasons-to-quit-smoking-in-the-spirit-of-christmas/
Benefits of Quitting During the Holidays Limit Your Tobacco Use
Limit the amount of tobacco use by restricting yourself to a certain amount. Using tobacco at only certain times of the day may help you quit. Increase the time between each use every day. Use this time to take back control.
Create a planner for each day!
HOLIDAY GIFT FROM NEW-LUNG!
Receive FREE nicotine patches as a holiday gift from us!
This holiday, take advantage of NEW-LUNG's FREE services and quit tobacco!
New Year's is just around the corner, it's the perfect timing to quit smoking! Give yourself the gift of a healthier life by quitting tobacco. What's a better gift than that?
Call us today to receive FREE virtual counseling and a supply of nicotine patches along with our holiday support!
Please RSVP if you would like to sign up.
CALL 1-866-NEW LUNG (639-5864)
Free quit vaping classes are available.
*Must attend ALL CLASSES of 5 session class series.
Participants receive a FREE SUPPLY OF NICOTINE PATCHES.
Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency/Tobacco Use Prevention Program.