Health Department offers tools to quit smoking

Resolved to quit smoking in 2012?

You don't have to do it alone.

If you're ready to quit, the Gulf County Health Department is ready to help.

Help is available through local support classes or over the phone through the health department in conjunction with the Tobacco-Free Partnership, a coalition dedicated to reducing tobacco use and its devastating consequences in Gulf County.

According to data from Tobacco Free Florida, seven out of 10 adult smokers report that they want to quit, making quitting a popular New Year's resolution among smokers.

“Every year, many Floridians try to go it alone as they resolve to quit smoking,” said Dr. Frank Farmer, Florida’s Surgeon General. “While quitting cold turkey may work for some, every day there is mounting evidence that counseling and medication have been proven effective and can greatly increase your chances of not just quitting, but staying tobacco free for good.”

Sarah Quaranta, Health Educator Consultant for the Gulf County Health Department, said the health department has received more and more calls about tobacco cessation help for the New Year.

In partnership with Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf, the health department is offering free "Quit Smoking Now" classes, a class developed by ex-smokers that provides support and free nicotine replacement therapy for those interested in quitting. The weekly class meets every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ET at Sacred Heart. 

In 2011, the health department provided tobacco cessation counseling for 177 patients.

"The other awesome option is the Florida Quit Line," Quaranta said. "This is for those people who don't have the time to attend the classes."

The Florida Quit line provides free over-the-phone counseling sessions and free nicotine replacement.

"They deliver to your house, while supplies last, free (nicotine replacement) gum, patches or lozenges; it all depends on your tobacco history," Quaranta said. "That's definitely something to take advantage of because you don't even have to leave your house to get the help to quit smoking or dipping."

The quit line's tobacco specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide support, tips and information to quitters.

Quaranta said the local quit line received 132 calls and the health department provided tobacco cessation counseling for 177 patients in 2011, but she would like to see more people in Gulf County utilize the resources in 2012.

"A lot of people have been smoking for so long, they think the damage is already done, but that's not true," Quaranta said. "Risks actually start decreasing right away."

According to data from the Florida Department of Health, within 48 hours of your last cigarette, nerve endings start re-growing and senses improve; within three months, circulation improves and lung function increases by up to 30 percent; and within nine months, coughing decreases as does sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath, energy level increases and cilia begins to re-grow in lungs.

Quaranta pointed out the most significant statistics come from within 10 years of quitting, in which lung cancer death rates for an average ex-smoker drop to 12 deaths per 100,000, and after 15 years, when the risk of coronary heart disease and risk of death fall to about the same as someone who has never smoked.  

 "It's okay to ask for support," Quaranta said. "It's something to take advantage of, especially when we have free resources on a local level."

To register for free smoking cessation classes call 1-877-848-6696 or contact Brigitta Nuccio at (850) 482-6500 (via email at bnuccio@bigbendahec.org) The class meets every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ET at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf in Port St. Joe.

The Florida Quit Line can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW.

For more information visit the Florida Quit Line Web site at floridaquitline.com or contact Sarah Quaranta at the Gulf County Health Department at (850) 227-1276 ext. 205.