Great American Smoke-Out Coming to RI
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
It's coming. The Great American Smokeout, the biggest day of solidarity for quitting smoking is coming up on November 17, and Rhode Island's health community has got impressive resources to get you or your loved ones on the path to leaving smoking behind.
Smoking still America's killer
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, and more than 46 million Americans still smoke. The story behind that story? More than half of these smokers have attempted to quit at least one day in the past year.
Rhode Island resources
Ready to quit and stay quit? Check out the variety of resources available right here, and get yourself ready to quit tomorrow or on November 17.
Remember: within 10 minutes of quitting your blood pressure will return to normal. Within 8 hours, your carbon monoxide levels will drop and your oxygen levels will rise. And within one year of quitting, your risk for cardiac disease has dropped to half that of someone who smokes.
For state employees: Free Nicotene Replacement Therapy
State Employee Health Plan Coverage includes Nicotine Replacement Therapy (the Patch, Nicotine Gum, etc) when you get a prescription from your doctor and fill the prescription at the pharmacy counter. Co-pays apply.
Fit to Quit
Multi-session phone counseling with certified cessation counselors. Initial call approximately 30-45 minutes, subsequent calls approximately 15-20 minutes each.
- Cost: FREE
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) Hearing Impaired: 1-800-TDD-1477 (1-800-833-1477)
- Counselors available Monday through Thursday 9am – 7pm, Friday 9am – 5pm.
Quit Smoking and Exercise
- A personalized program including two months of exercise and eight individualized sessions using behavior modification.
- South County Hospital Cardiopulmonary Center, South Kingstown
- Programs are on-going and insurance co-pays apply
- For more information call 401-782-8020 Ext. 3484
Miriam Hospital
- Individual comprehensive cognitive-behavioral program led by clinical health psychologist. Topics include techniques for dealing with “triggers” that lead to smoking, managing negative emotions and stress, and preventing relapse.
- Six 30-minute sessions are recommended
- Cost is based on health insurance coverage.
- For more information contact Meredith Dixon at 401-793-3240
Freedom From Smoking
- A seven-session group program sponsored by the American Lung Association of RI uses behavior modification directed at adults and adolescents and may be used with the Nicotine Patch.
- Various locations throughout Rhode Island.
- Cost: $75 for program.
- For more information call 401-421-6487 and for the American Lung Association of Rhode Island.
IQUIT-2: Brown University Smoking Study
- A quit smoking study for social or heavy drinkers being conducted by Brown University investigators that uses the nicotine patch as well as the medication naltrexone (both FDA approved) to help smokers quit. Those found eligible receive, at no cost, a 6-week supply of the nicotine patch, 6 individual treatment sessions with a smoking cessation counselor, and study medication. In addition, participants may earn up to $150 for completing questionnaires and interviews.
- 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI
- Cost: FREE
- For more information call 401-863-6684 or go to www.QuitwithBrown.org.
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