Mahaska Health Partnership urges participation in the Great American Smokeout
Mahaska Health Partnership
OSKALOOSA – Mahaska Health Partnership Cardiopulmonary Services encourages smokers to participate in the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 17, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
“The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity to join with literally millions of other smokers in saying ‘no thanks’ to cigarettes for 24 hours,” MHP Certified Freedom From Smoking Facilitator Kai Schwab, BA, RPSGT, said. “Who could ask for a better support system than millions of other people quitting on the same day.”
According to Schwab, no matter how old you are or how long you’ve smoked, quitting can help you live longer and be healthier. “People who stop smoking before age 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years in half compared with those who keep smoking. “
The purpose of the Great American Smokeout is to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and to help motivate people to quit. Schwab said that more people try to quit smoking on this day than any other day of the year, including New Year’s Day.
“Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body,“ Schwab stressed. “Half of all smokers who keep smoking will end up dying from a smoking-related illness. In the United States alone, smoking is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths, and according to the Surgeon General, about 8.6 million people suffer from smoking-related lung and heart diseases. “
Schwab said the American Cancer Society has great resources available online to help smokers quit. She also teaches a Freedom from Smoking Clinic offered by the American Lung Association that emphasizes long-term freedom from smoking. The class she teaches allows smokers to develop an individual plan for quitting and learn the latest updates on stress management and pharmaceutical interventions.
The next Freedom from Smoking Class offered through MHP Cardiopulmonary Services starts Jan. 3, 2012. A free informational session will be held Wednesday, Dec. 28 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm on the MHP campus in Oskaloosa.
Schwab stressed that if smokers are serious about wanting to quit, they should use the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 17 as a first step to see how they handle 24 hours of being smoke-free. “Once you realize you can quit smoking for one day and be successful, you realize that long-term smoking cessation is within your reach.”
For more information about smoking cessation assistance offered at Mahaska Health Partnership, call Schwab at 641-672-3163 or visit mahaskahealth.org.
