By Julie Daigle
Power of Prevention coordinator
Each year on the third Thursday in November, the American Cancer Society encourages smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit using tobacco for at least 24 hours. This year, the date is Thursday, Nov. 20, and Power of Prevention staff members extend a warm invitation to all those wanting to quit to take an important step toward reducing their cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease risk by trying it for at least one day.
As part of the event, POP will be offering those who make a commitment to quit for 24 hours entry into a drawing for a donation by a local business. The drawing will be held the following morning. Participants do not have to be present to win, but must leave contact information so that POP staff may follow up.
The Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine states that smoking kills more people in Maine than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders and suicides, combined — a sobering statistic.
The American Cancer Society webpage states, “Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — a bit under one in every five adults. As of 2012, there were also 13.4 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.3 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and additive forms of tobacco.”
As one of the Great American Smokeout opportunities to make a choice to live a healthier, happier life, POP will be offering assistance with enrollment in the Maine Tobacco Helpline, a free, confidential service that provides positive, personal phone support for those wanting to quit. Participants do not have to access their health insurance to use the service. The Maine Tobacco Helpline offers access to nicotine replacement therapy as well, for up to eight weeks.
The Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine states that studies have shown that those using the Maine Tobacco Helpline are two to three times more likely to quit than those attempting to quit on their own.
Studies also have shown that those who begin smoking early have a much higher risk of becoming addicted to tobacco use. According to the PTM website:
• Eighty-three percent of middle school students get their cigarettes from a friend, family members, or person 18 years of age, steal them, or give someone money to get them. Most middle school students get their cigarettes by stealing them from a friend.
• Sixty-nine percent of high school students get their cigarettes from a friend, family member, or person 18 years of age, steal them, or give someone money to get them. Most high school smokers give someone else money to buy their cigarettes or get them from a friend.
For those adults considering quitting, you may be helping to prevent a child from becoming addicted. Furthermore, by quitting, you can also help to reduce your child’s exposure to second- and third-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke is the smoke from a cigarette, cigar or pipe, and smoke that has been exhaled by one or more people smoking. Third-hand smoke is the residual nicotine and other chemicals left on a variety of indoor surfaces by smoke. According to the Mayo Clinic, “This residue is thought to react with common indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that, in children, exposure to second-hand smoke causes ear infections, increases the severity of asthma attacks, respiratory problems, respiratory infections and provides a greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). “Exposure to second-hand smoke at home or at work increases the risk of heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and the risk of lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent.”
On Nov. 20, Power of Prevention staff will have materials and resources available at several area schools including Caribou High School. Staff will also be present at the Sweden Street office of Power of Prevention in Caribou to answer questions and take pledges.
For more information, please contact Julie Daigle or Joseph Davis at 207- 834-2003.
