The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department is encouraging people who smoke to keep new year's resolutions to stop smoking by contacting their physician for counseling.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, counseling smokers to quit is ranked as one of the most cost effective and clinically preventable burdens of disease and injury, second only to vaccinating children. The Public Health Service’s clinical practice guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, contains evidence-based information about behavioral therapies and counseling–including telephone counseling-that can help patients quit.
“The holidays can be a stressful time, but smoking doesn’t have to be part of them,“ said Jay Collum, tobacco education coordinator at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department. “Give yourself the gift of freedom from nicotine. It may be the most important health decision you make this year. After all, New Year’s Day is the single largest day for giving up unhealthy habits.”
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department released information that the benefits of quitting tobacco are almost immediate. Within 20 minutes of giving up tobacco, elevated blood pressure and pulse decrease; in two days, nerve endings regenerate; in two weeks, circulation improves; in one to nine months fatigue and shortness of breath decrease; and in one year, the risk of a heart attack is cut in half.
Residents in Tennessee can call the statewide QuitLine. The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine (1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-800-784-8669) is a statewide toll-free telephone tobacco cessation treatment program made possible through the Tennessee Department of Health. There is no charge to callers, and callers will receive quit kits and have access to trained coaches. This service is available to Tennessee residents in both English and Spanish. The service is also available for the deaf and hard-of-hearing at TTY: 877-559-3816. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. CST.
On Jan. 6, a “Breathe Free” cessation program starts at Hamilton YMCA. Call 396-3936 for additional information.