Dying
To Smoke
Understanding the Addiction,
Facing the Challenge and Learning to Help
by Cheryl Porterfield
Tom Ziegler stands behind the solid-oak bar at the Tap Room in the historic Hotel Congress, shaking his head.
“I couldn’t do it,” said Ziegler, who is affectionately known as “Tiger” to Tap Room regulars. “I’m down to two to three cigarettes a day, but I couldn’t quit. I tried, but this is a habit. I’ve been smoking my entire life.”
Ziegler, who has bartended at the Tap Room for the past 46 years, has freely lit up everyday he has worked. But that all changed on May 1.
Last November, Arizona voters made a clear choice for clear air. Voters passed a ban, effective May 1, which prohibits smoking in almost every type of public establishment, and requires that smokers remain 20 feet from a public building’s entrance. Smoking is permitted on a patio.
In addition, voters agreed to raise Arizona's cigarette and tobacco product tax by 80 cents per pack, and use the revenue to fund early childhood development programs.
Ziegler feels this new law is good and actually used it as an incentive to try and quit. He even had the help of his employer. “The hotel offered classes before the smoking ban to help employees quit,” Ziegler said. “But out of a hundred employees, only four of us went.”
Tiger has not given up. “I’m still going to quit because I believe it’s the right thing to do.”
What
Do the Changes Mean?
The move
sends many messages: it helps to drive home the anti-smoking messages, particularly
to the younger generation who will grow up under the ban; it protects children
and non-smokers against deadly second-hand smoke, and it enables non-smokers,
who may have previously avoided sports bars or crowded lunch spots due to
smoke-filled air, to frequent any restaurant they choose.
As a first step, public establishments were required to remove ash trays and post “no smoking” signs. The responsibility falls on the business owners, who must require any offenders to extinguish or leave the premises. If the individual refuses, the police can charge the offender with a petty offense, punishable by fines of $50 to $300. Officials suggest business owners keep a log of all incidents, should proof of action be required.
If an establishment repeatedly does not comply with the ban, state health officials can fine the business $100 to $500. Continued violations can result in court action, which has the potential to impose steeper fines.
Praise
for Clean Air
Business
owners who fear they may loose some of their regular crowd might not have
as much to worry about, as many residents are glad to be rid of smoke-filled
restaurants.
“I enjoy going out to eat, going out dancing, but I hate going home smelling like an ashtray. There is nothing worse than your clothes and especially your hair, smelling like you smoked a pack of cigarettes. Trying to eat while someone at your table or the tables around you is smoking isn't that wonderful, either,” states Tucson non-smoker Haley Cogliano, 27.
Mitch Marcus, a regular customer at the Tap Room and a smoker, is okay with the ban. “It’s a small thing, really. We just step outside.”
His friend, Steven Fuentes agrees. “It’s my bad habit. Why should I impose it on anyone else?” Fuentes continues, “I think it might infringe on my constitutional rights, however even I don’t like having smoke blown in my face.”
For many, protecting children from second hand smoke is a widespread sign of relief. Tucson resident and past smoker Juliet Smith states: “I used to think that the government has no right to control where we are allowed to smoke. Now that I have a child of my own, I think it is an excellent movement - I don't want my daughter's health to be affected due to other people’s choice to smoke near her.”
Amanda Fitzgerald agrees. “At least for our family, the biggest gain to the ban is that we can freely enjoy dining out without having to worry about other people's smoke.”
Fitzgerald is also happy to be smoke-free as she goes about her day to day business. “At the grocery store, there are usually several employees sitting by the store smoking as you walk in. Yesterday, there was a large sign on the door with the no smoking symbol, and an employee that was smoking was standing on the other side of the parking lot.”
Fueling
the Desire to Quit
Restricting
the ability to smoke may make it difficult for smokers to light up, yet smokers
have mixed feelings about the ban.
Maria Tolin, a smoker in the process of quitting, hails the ban. “I voted yes on both measures as a potential way to help me quit. I've been to California several times, where a ban has been in place for years. I feel absolutely horrible when I smoke there, because people stare at me like I have just committed the worst sin on Earth. I tend to smoke much less when people are staring at me!”
After initially opposing the ban, previous smoker Matthew Sobol is glad to have it in place. “Now that I’m in the process of quitting, I’m glad that the very ban I voted against is in effect. I know that may make me sound like a hypocrite, but I know that the best thing I can do to stop smoking is not be around it. This will be a huge help for me. Since I am headed down a long road, I'll take all the help I can get!”
Other smokers disagree. “If quitting were possible, I wouldn’t be smoking,” offers Jay, a 40 year old smoker. “This just means we’ll be watching the game in my living room, instead of at a bar.”
Quitting is difficult, and though outside forces may make it difficult for the smoker to smoke, the desire to quit must come from within.
“The biggest cause of failure is lack of commitment to quit on the part of the patient,” states Dr. Mitchell Edelstein of Tucson’s Golden West Medical Center, whose office works with smokers. “The patient must be fully vested in the idea of quitting smoking.”
Ready
to Quit?
It’s
a catch-22: studies show that the majority of smokers trying to quit seldom
turns to treatment programs; however, program participants consistently have
higher success rates than those who do not.
According to the American Cancer Society, “People who use telephone counseling stop smoking at twice the rate of those who don't.” A local telephone helpline, created by the University of Arizona Program for Nicotine and Tobacco Research, makes assistance available right in the smoker’s home. Their program, Arizona Smokers' Helpline, (www.ashline.org), offers free bilingual telephone counseling, tobacco quit-kits, and information for smokers and non-smokers.
Numerous programs outline steps to help smokers kick the habit. Most center on the following:
Other
Avenues to Quitting
There
are medical alternatives available for those who have tried to quit yet failed,
reports Dr. Edelstein. “Most people have already tried the many nicotine
replacement products (patches, gum, inhalers, etc.) by the time they seek
out their physician.”
Medication under the guidance of a physician may be an answer. “The drugs most often found useful are Zyban and Chantix,” Dr. Edelstein reports. “Chantix is more specific and has a higher rate of success than Zyban (44% vs. 30% at six months after treatment). Both are usually prescribed for three months, but are slightly more effective if taken for six months. The major advantage of Zyban is that it's been around longer, so it's available in generic form. Since often the patient must pay out of pocket, and smoking cessation is a non-covered benefit by many insurers, this could be a limiting factor for many people.”
Another option that is becoming more popular in the United States is laser therapy, under the leadership of Anne Penman, an native of Ireland, who quit her 19-year smoking habit after undergoing laser therapy. Penmen went on to study and teach others the technique. Her international “program is based on a holistic approach…it is drug-free, safe and painless combining laser treatment, counseling and back-up support.”
Hypnosis is another avenue that may be attempted by the smoker. Yet, according to Dr. Edelstein’s website, hypnosis “remains unproven” as a way to stop smoking. However, this may not be an option for everyone, as many faith-based organizations believe that hypnosis leaves the mind susceptible to negative influence and therefore one should check with their Pastor before heading in this direction.
For others, the power of prayer is on their side. Davis Sanchez was a smoker for over 13 years. “I tried it all,” says Sanchez, “the pill, the gum, cold turkey – you name it” And did it work? “No. I always feel back into the nicotine trap.”
The change for Sanchez came when he received prayer after a church service. “I decided I was ready. I knew it was the best thing for my body and for my family. The man started praying and I felt this release come over me. I’ve been smoke free for over eleven months now.” Many churches even offer counseling and support groups for those who are trying to quit smoking.
Non-Smokers:
Pledge to Help
Non-smokers
can help by supporting a friend of family member attempting to quit. Begin
by arming yourself with knowledge so that you can understand the difficulty
the smoker will face.
According to ASHline.org, one of the best ways to support their efforts is to be positive and encouraging, recognizing that the addiction to nicotine is very real and extremely difficult to end. Offer alternatives: be available to take a walk, take up a new hobby, or offer incentives.
Help the individual realize the money they’ll save – ASHline.org even offers a “cost calculator” on their website. Suggest the individual choose an item to splurge on with the money they save, to reward their incremental successes.
A Lifestyle
Change
Though
Maria Tolin has tried to quit in the past, this time she is ready to make
it stick.
“Now on
my 28th day of being smoke free, I know that this time, it will be different,” declares
Tolin, with a fresh confidence. “Although the new law and increased
prices were definitely motivating factors, they are not the overall reason
for my belief that this time I will succeed.
“After numerous health issues (including a cancer scare) I am no longer
alone in my quest to quit smoking. I know of several other smokers who are
trying to quit right now ... and, more importantly, public awareness has helped
my family to understand that I am not just giving up smoking, but I am giving
up a lifestyle.”
Tolin pauses and finishes by saying, “Cigarettes were my friend ...
a casual break in my hectic day…not to mention a huge stress reliever.
Giving up such a huge part of your life, and something you consider to be
a part of you, takes support. This time, it's there.”
Source: Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, Tobacco Cessation Program
Sources for Help:
Local sources:
http://www.ashline.org/referrals/index.html - Arizona’s local quitline. 1-800-556-6222www.smokefreetucson.com/- for information on the laser therapy technique. 520-747-QUIT
Dr. Mitchell Edelstein
Golden West Medical Center, 520-792-1966
www.tucsonmedical.com/pages/smoking.phpCelebrate Recovery
A faith-based recovery program with support groups that meet throughout Tucson.
Visit the organization’s site to find a program: www.celebraterecovery.comNational information/steps for quitting
www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/consquits.htm - www.cancer.org
www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/how_to_quit/pathways/index.htm
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