Spring Break
Quit smoking tomorrow
Beu Health Center's health education director JoAnn Hairston-Jones offers advice for smokers wishing to quit
Margaret Eaton
Issue date: 11/16/05 Section: News
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Hairston-Jones described the next step in the quitting process, as "understanding the perceived barriers to quitting is especially important so that one can identify ways to overcome the challenges."
The next step, according to Hairston-Jones, is developing a plan. This plan combines several options for quitting smoking with which people are familiar.
"It includes strategies for quitting based on one's reasons for tobacco use and finding substitutes. One would need to decide whether tobacco replacement was needed. Support of family and friends is very important," Hairston-Jones said.
Some of the short-term effects of tobacco use, according to Hairston-Jones, are: nicotine addiction, respiratory problems, dental problems, nervousness, depression, bad breath, wrinkled skin and stained fingernails.
Hairston-Jones warned about the long-term effects of smoking.
"440,000 Americans die each year from diseases related to tobacco use.
These include: cancers of the bladder, bronchus, esophagus, kidney, larynx, mouth, pancreas and uterine cervix. Tobacco is also a major risk factor for heart disease," Hairston-Jones said.
Hairston-Jones said the group at the most risk is children to people in their mid-teen years. "Partly due to peer pressure and in the past, the tobacco industry has heavily targeted this age group."
The other risk groups are 18-to 24-year-olds, usually because of the freedom that comes from being away from their parents.
The benefits of quitting or not smoking altogether are well-known. Money can be a reason to quit. The cost of cigarettes is high and will only increase.
What Hairston-Jones called "convenience" is becoming more and more of an issue as Americans are becoming more health-conscious. Smoking is not allowed in more places and communities, such as restaurants. Several, if not all, academic buildings at Western have designated entrances and exits for smoking.
Hairston-Jones warned students the goal is to not start using tobacco products.
The next step, according to Hairston-Jones, is developing a plan. This plan combines several options for quitting smoking with which people are familiar.
"It includes strategies for quitting based on one's reasons for tobacco use and finding substitutes. One would need to decide whether tobacco replacement was needed. Support of family and friends is very important," Hairston-Jones said.
Some of the short-term effects of tobacco use, according to Hairston-Jones, are: nicotine addiction, respiratory problems, dental problems, nervousness, depression, bad breath, wrinkled skin and stained fingernails.
Hairston-Jones warned about the long-term effects of smoking.
"440,000 Americans die each year from diseases related to tobacco use.
These include: cancers of the bladder, bronchus, esophagus, kidney, larynx, mouth, pancreas and uterine cervix. Tobacco is also a major risk factor for heart disease," Hairston-Jones said.
Hairston-Jones said the group at the most risk is children to people in their mid-teen years. "Partly due to peer pressure and in the past, the tobacco industry has heavily targeted this age group."
The other risk groups are 18-to 24-year-olds, usually because of the freedom that comes from being away from their parents.
The benefits of quitting or not smoking altogether are well-known. Money can be a reason to quit. The cost of cigarettes is high and will only increase.
What Hairston-Jones called "convenience" is becoming more and more of an issue as Americans are becoming more health-conscious. Smoking is not allowed in more places and communities, such as restaurants. Several, if not all, academic buildings at Western have designated entrances and exits for smoking.
Hairston-Jones warned students the goal is to not start using tobacco products.
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