Great American Smokeout - an opportunity to quit

That's because today, Nov. 20, is the 33rd annual Great American Smokeout, a day designated by the American Cancer Society as a time to quit smoking.

According to the American Cancer Society, smoking cigarettes tops the list as the most preventable major risk factor of the nation's number one killer --heart and blood vessel disease.

Smoking also harms thousands of nonsmokers, including infants and children, who are exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke.

Cheryl Buntsma, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator with the Northwest Iowa Tobacco Free Coalition reports there have been more than 5,000 calls to the Quitline Iowa, a statewide counseling service, in the first quarter following the Iowa Smokefree Air Act that went into effect July 1, 2008.

The NW Iowa Tobacco Free Coalition, which serves Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola Plymouth and Sioux counties, provides resources for individuals who are seeking to quit their tobacco addiction.

"We advise everyone who has a tobacco addiction to seek help with proven resources such as Quitline Iowa, American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association," said Buntsma.

"They all have wonderful counseling services and Quitline even provides two weeks of free patches or gums to help kick-start the cessation process," she said.

Buntsma has also worked with Leanne Williams, American Cancer Society Senior Community Relations Director, in creating a class that combines Quitline Iowa and the National Resource Network information, presenting information to healthcare providers who in turn can provide those resources to clients.

"For the Great American Smokeout we put pledge cards in each of the local libraries within the five counties in hopes that whoever is thinking about quitting they will pick it up, call Quitline and then write down their own personal quit date," Buntsma said.

"We encourage those thinking of quitting to build a strong network of friends and family who will encourage them despite it being maybe even the 10th time they've 'tried to quit,'" she said.

She noted that 70 percent of tobacco users do want to quit.

Buntsma said friends and family need to continue to encourage those who make the decision to quit.

"Nicotine is more addictive than heroin. It takes time and strong will to quit. That's where the support groups and proven programs are so important," Buntsma emphasized. "Anyone can call us anytime and we help them build a support network."

There are a number of sources on the group's website, www.nwiatobaccofreecoalition.org.

"On my web page, I even have a Facebook link. I figured it could help build a network of support for people who are thinking or going through the quitting process," Buntsma said.

She cites three good sources of help: Quitline Iowa (www.quitlineiowa.org, or call 1-800-784-8669), American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) and the American Lung Association (www.lungacs.org).

"They all work very hard at providing support for individuals," she said.

Statistics indicate the 18-24 year age group is most targeted by tobacco companies, Buntsma said.

"Tobacco companies target all ages and they are relentless," Buntsma added, pointing out that companies work to make products more appealing such as those that are flavored.

She also notes the money spent on marketing campaigns is "mind-boggling."

"For instance in Iowa, the tobacco companies spend over $141,000 a day to get our children and young adults addicted. They have increased the nicotine by over 12 percent in most cigarettes in the last 10 years," she added.

Buntsma is working with schools in trying to start Just Eliminate Lies (JEL) programs, which are youth-led tobacco prevention and awareness programs. Their marketing campaign, "What Town is Next" (www.whattownisnext.com) is very effective, she noted.

More than 600 kids in Iowa will lose a parent due to the tobacco related illnesses, she said.

Lighting up is an expensive habit both for smokers and non-smokers, Buntsma said.

In Iowa, a pack of cigarettes costs approximately $4.90.

"It does cost the non-smoker $6.02 in taxes as we all end up paying for the healthcare costs," Buntsma said. "An Iowa citizen pays more than $600 in taxes just to pay for tobacco-related healthcare costs," Buntsma said.

The NW Iowa Tobacco Free Coalition is working hard to get information out about the effects of tobacco.

"We are going around in each of our cities in the five-county area to encourage store owners, city administrators and police enforcement agencies to put the Smokefree Air Act window cling or sign in their cars and/or on the entrances to their business," she said.

"We are in need of leaders who are thinking about the crux of the

law, and that is to protect our citizens from second-hand smoke and the devastating effects of this habit. We are also visiting with those who are using tobacco products and providing Quitline information," she continued.

Buntsma admits it takes a lot of determination and mental toughness to kick what she calls a multi-dimensional addiction.

"Not only will the user go through physical and psychological withdrawal, it will also affect their social life," she said.

Those quitting may be faced with others around them who do not want to quit or who constantly degrade them for failing to quit, 'once and for all,' Buntsma said.

Working to educate business owners, city officials and enforcement officers about Iowa's Smoke Free Air Act has been difficult.

"I want to let them know I am a partner with them when they go through the change from allowing smoking in most places to smoke free," Buntsma said.

She still finds some who deny knowledge the law and the enforcement of it.

Though her work with the coalition, she has traveled extensively to educate people about the law and about the truth of tobacco products.

"It's been so rewarding to hear from those who love the fact that they don't have to put up with the smoke at work or when they go out. I also love to visit with those who have beat the habit and my heart goes out to those who are still struggling to kick the habit," Buntsma said. "I hope they pick a date to quit -- it will be the best one they ever had."