MEMBER SIGN IN
Not a member? Become one today!
         iBerkshires     Berkshire Chamber     MCLA     City Statistics    
Search
Letter: Thanks for Quitting Smoking
Letters to the Editor,
07:00PM / Monday, November 21, 2016
Print | Email  

To the Editor:

This Thanksgiving season, I'd like to remind readers to thank a co-worker, friend or family member who has quit smoking. Many smokers say quitting is the hardest thing they have ever done. Most smokers have to try a few times before they quit for good, and any amount of recognition can help someone stay quit.

Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death and disease in Massachusetts. Nicotine is a very addictive drug and, on average, it takes a smoker several tries to quit for good. So reach out to smokers or ex-smokers. Let them know you are proud of how hard they're working to better their well-being. Thank them for improving their health and the health of the people around them.

If you're a smoker, even though the holidays can be a tough time to quit, they are a great time to get support from your loved ones to help you try to quit. If you have tried in the past, don't give up. Instead, take advantage of the many resources available in Massachusetts to help you reach your goal.

Smokers can call the Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to talk with a free quit coach. The Helpline is open for calls 24 hours each day, seven days a week (excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas). By talking with a quit coach at 1-800-QUIT-NOW, smokers can also receive a four-week supply of free nicotine patches.

Health insurance may cover the cost of medicines and coaching to help smokers quit — MassHealth does. With MassHealth and many other insurance companies, FDA-approved quit-smoking medications are available with little or no co-pay.

Smokers who get support and use stop-smoking medicines are nearly three times as likely to quit for good as those who try to quit on their own. Quitting is hard — give thanks to a smoker in your life for quitting or for attempting to quit. Every email, text message, phone call, or encouraging word makes a difference.

Joyce Brewer is the TFCP contract manager for Berkshire Area Health Education Center

 

 

 

0Comments
More Featured Stories
NorthAdams.com is owned and operated by: Boxcar Media 102 Main Sreet, North Adams, MA 01247 -- T. 413-663-3384
© 2011 Boxcar Media LLC - All rights reserved