Smoking Cessation Information

Smokers can and do quit smoking. In fact, today there are more former smokers than current smokers.

 
 

Nicotine: A Powerful Addiction

If you have tried to quit smoking, you know how hard it can be. It is hard because nicotine is a very addictive drug. Quitting is hard. Usually people make two or three attempts, or more, before finally being able to quit. Each time you try to quit, you can learn about what helps and what hurts. Quitting takes hard work and a lot of effort, but you can quit smoking.

Good Reasons for Quitting

First of all, you will live longer and live better. Next, quitting will lower your chance of having a heart attack, stroke, or cancer. Also, the people you live with, especially your children, will be healthier. Finally, you will have extra money to spend on things other than cigarettes.

Six Keys for Quitting

  1. Get ready
    Set a quit date, change your environment, review your past attempts to quit, and remember once you quit, do not smoke even a puff!

  2. Get Support and Encouragement
    Tell your family, friends, and coworkers that you are going to quit and want their support. Talk to your health care provider. Get individual, group, and telephone counseling.

  3. Learn New Skills and Behaviors
    Try to distract yourself, change your routine, reduce your stress, plan something enjoyable, and drink a lot of fluids.

  4. Get Medication and Use it Correctly
    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved five medications to help you quit smoking:

    1. Bupropion SR

    2. Nicotine gum

    3. Nicotine-inhaler

    4. Nicotine nasal spray

    5. Nicotine patch

  5. Be Prepared for Relapse or Difficult Situations
    Most relapses occur within the first three months after quitting. Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again. Difficult situations such as alcohol and being around other smokers should be avoided. Do not let weight gain discourage you. Just eat a healthy diet and stay active. Find other ways to improve your mood instead of resorting to smoking.

  6. Special Situations or Conditions
    Your situation or condition can give you a special reason to quit. Hospitalized patients can reduce their health problems by quitting. Heart attack patients can reduce their risk of a second heart attack by quitting. Lung, head and neck cancer patients can reduce their chance of a second cancer by quitting.

Cigarette Use Among Adults and High School Students (%)

‡ CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2016. ❖ CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 2017.

Facts about Smoking and Tobacco Use in Louisiana

  • Louisiana ranks 2nd highest in cancer mortality rates among the 50 states and Washington, D.C.

  • Tobacco causes one in five deaths in Louisiana.

  • One in four adults in Louisiana is currently a smoker.

  • 734,000 adults in Louisiana smoke cigarettes knowing that this single behavior will result in death or disability for half of all regular users.

  • One in four children in Louisiana has tried cigarettes by the 6th grade.

  • Over 1.1 million days of work are lost each year in Louisiana due to tobacco.

 
 

Smoking Quit Line

Quitting just got easier with online enrollment. Call (225) 638-5850 or enroll at Quit With Us LA.

  • The Louisiana Tobacco Quitline offers free, confidential phone counseling with Certified Quit Coaches.

  • New web-only option offers free, confidential support program that is entirely online.

  • Enrollees can choose phone counseling, web support, or both.

  • Set a quit date and develop a quit plan that works for you.

  • Free nicotine gum or patches available.

Tobacco/Nicotine Cessation Community Resource

Pointe Coupee General Hospital has partnered with the Louisiana Tobacco Control Initiative (LA-TCI) to provide a resource for tobacco/nicotine cessation for Pointe Coupee Parish. LA-TCI will provide evidence-based cessation treatment, education, resources, and services; certified tobacco treatment specialist available!

Contact Jeanene Thibaut, LA-TCI Liaison for Pointe Coupee Parish, at (225) 638-5850 for a self-referral. Physician-led referrals can be made prior to discharge from PCGH or through local participating physician’s offices. Speak to your provider today about tobacco/nicotine cessation for any questions or concerns you may have!


Those suffering from addiction and seeking assistance are encourage to reach out to Pointe Coupee Human Services Center. PCHSC specializes in appropriate, effective, community-based prevention, treatment, and assessment/referral services for individuals faced with chemical use problems.