November 2019 Volume 1, Issue 7
ARMC Tobacco Cessation Department
NEW-LUNG Newsletter
Lunchtime lion dance performance at Nhan Hoa
October 2019 - Nhan Hoa Comprehensive Healthcare Clinic in Garden Grove held its annual free health fair on Saturday, October 12. The fair was for patients and members of the community to get free health screenings, flu vaccines, and community resources. There were activities for the kids, including games, arts & crafts, face painting, snacks, raffles, and entertainment.
Khoi and Liz, from the Tobacco Cessation Department, attended the fair to give free tobacco cessation counseling services to attendants of the fair, specifically the Vietnamese community members. During the 3 hours at the fair, 11 people were interested in quitting tobacco and received services. The 11 participants were excited to try the nicotine patches and were motivated to succeed in quitting after receiving counseling. We wish them the very best in kicking the habit!
In October, we helped 346 people quit smoking!
252 Adults Served
94 Youths Served
Upcoming Classes
HOAG Hospital - Newport Beach
1 Hoag Dr., Newport Beach
Cancer Center
November 20, 27, December 4, 11, & 18
MemorialCare Saddleback
24451 Health Center Dr., Laguna Hills Conference Room 4
November 20, 27, December 4, 11, & 18
UCI Medical Center
101 The City Dr. S, Building 1, Orange November 25 & December 2
Calendar Highlights
Nov. 21 - Great American Smokeout
Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving
Nov. 29 - Black Friday
Quit Tip: Celebrate every victory.
Allow yourself to celebrate your progress. Whether it be a milestone or a small step, make sure you are rewarded for your quit journey.
Hop on the Flavor-Ban Bandwagon
October 2019 - Massachusetts advocates are urging lawmakers to pass a bill banning the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol flavors. They state there are too many stores advertising too many tobacco products.
Public health experts found that a critical component in successfully curbing teen nicotine use is banning fruity and menthol flavors. Using flavors is very effective for attracting teens, and it’s not just because of the taste. The fresh flavor of menthol numbs the throat and makes inhaling smoother. It also eases the harsh smoke to increase the ability of deeper and fuller breaths.
These experts considered other environmental factors when deciding to propose the flavor ban. Governor Charlie Baker, who is in favor of the ban, warns that removing flavors can drive buyers towards black market sellers. Teens who cannot get a hold of flavors might turn to buying unregulated, unsafe products.
House Speaker, Robert DeLeo, raised the issue that a flavor ban will not be effective unless the ban includes menthol flavors. Menthol cigarettes are heavily targeted towards African-Americans. Without a menthol-ban, it would be saying that it is acceptable to target a particular demographic.
As legistlature closes for recess on November 20, Massachusetts government is under pressure to place guardrails on vaping before the deadline and will not compromise without the menthol clause.
Source: Young, C. A. (2019, October 30). Inclusion of menthol seen as key to successful flavored tobacco ban. Retrieved from https://www.gazettenet.com/ Health-advocates-press-for-menthol-ban-in-tobacco-bill-29842424.
Meet Vanessa Martinez
Spanish Tobacco Cessation Specialist
Staff Spotlight
My passion is to know more, whether it be about people or just how the world works. Keeping the conversation going when it comes to being proactive about health and overall well-being is extremely important to me. I want people to feel comfortable when it comes to talking about their health. Starting the conversation about health may eliminate taboos that could otherwise discourage people from receiving healthcare.
My favorite thing about working for NEW-LUNG is that this position allows me to talk to people. At home, I’m generally a quiet person, but when I get to work, I am a natural conversationalist.
My career goal is to create a program for Hispanics, who are low-income and living with diabetes. My community needs education about nutrition and how to be proactive with their health. Whether it be topics relating to tobacco or diets, I want to inspire others to live better, healthy lives for themselves and their families.
NEW-LUNG Testimonials
Anonymous testimonies from participants from Mercy House
“I am grateful for Vanessa and your program. It’s perfect timing! I just got out of ICU in the hospital and have a bad heart. Thank you so much. My cardiologist will be pleased and this will help me with a better quality of living.”
“I enjoyed having the conversation and tools that Vanessa has given me. Very informative and makes you feel good about quitting. Caren had a lot of information I could take with me. The girls are great!”
““I just happen to walk up to Vanessa and she informed me that she has the patch to stop smoking. She was very informative about how to stop smoking. I feel they should do this at all shelters cause this will help save a lot of lives. Keep this program up and running.”
“You guys are awesome. I’ve been trying to cut down on smoking for a while. This will help me along the way to quitting. Thanks. ”
In Collaboration With: Edith Carrillo, Educator of “Pathways to Success”
My name is Edith Carrillo. I am the teacher for our Alternative to Suspension Program “Pathways to Success” for Anaheim Union High School District. The partnership with NEW-LUNG is very important for our program.
Many students are sent to the program because they were caught smoking or brought smoking devices to school. NEW-LUNG provides a weekly, non-judgmental environment, educating my students about the dangers of smoking, vaping, and nicotine. Not only is NEW-LUNG providing education through the information shared in the presentation and the video, but my students are also highly impacted by the presentation of lungs. Students are introduced to what a healthy non-smoking lung looks and feels like, then compared to how an unhealthy, smoking lung looks and feels. At the end of the presentation, my students are given different situations, scenarios, and visuals that help them understand that living a smoke-free/vape-free/nicotine-free lifestyle is the best way to live.
I am truly blessed to have NEW-LUNG as one of my partners. They are a special part in helping to guide my students to live a healthier, longer lifestyle.
Thank you NEW-LUNG!
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.