Smoking cessation help still available during pandemic

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PITTSBORO — With the threat of a serious respiratory illness in COVID-19, tobacco smokers may be looking to kick the habit now — and resources are available that can help them while still maintaining social distancing.

“It is always a good time to quit, no matter your age or how long you have been using tobacco,” said Anna Stormzand, Youth Health and Tobacco Initiatives Lead with the Chatham County Public Health Department’s Health Promotion and Policy Division.

“We now know that people with certain health conditions, like respiratory and lung disease, are at higher risk of getting sicker from the new coronavirus, or COVID-19,” Stormzand said. “Many of these conditions are caused or made worse by using tobacco and vaping products.”

For smokers aiming to quit tobacco or vaping (or needing support remaining tobacco-free), there are “several options to help, including ones that can be done by phone so people don’t have to risk close contact,” she said.

Even though in-person classes and face to face appointments with medical providers may not be an option right now, Stormzand said there are several options to help people quit during this pandemic, including the county health department’s free QuitSmart classes.

“Out of safety precautions and with the current stay-at-home orders,” Stormzand said, “the Chatham County Public Health Department will be hosting free QuitSmart classes virtually this year starting in May.”

Participants in the program will still receive two free weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches, support from other participants trying to quit tobacco, and a personalized quit plan. The four classes will be held on Thursdays ­­— May 7th, 14th and 28th — and on Tuesday, June 2nd, with each class running from 12 to 1:15 pm. Participants will be able to join these classes any way that works for them, either online or by phone. Contact 984-214-2060 or email Stormzand at anna.stormzand@chathamnc.org for more information or to reserve a spot for the classes.

Another great option during this time is the QuitlineNC or 1-800 QUITNOW, Stormzand said.

QuitlineNC is free smoking cessation program for all types of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes. The quitline provides up to four free counseling sessions, and even more for pregnant women, those with mental health conditions, and teenagers, with a trained counselor over the phone or through an online program or text messaging service. Many participants are also eligible for free NRTs such as patches, lozenges, and gum that will be sent directly to their home. To learn more about this free resource, call 1-800 QUIT NOW or visit http://www.quitlinenc.com/.

Stormzand said quitting tobacco habits can be hard, but it is achievable.

“The decision to quit is a personal decision,” she said, “and may be difficult, but you can quit for good. The most effective tobacco treatment includes three things: support, counseling, and medications to help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms and cravings people often experience when trying to quit. The goal of a successful quit process is to stay comfortable. This is done by steadily reducing nicotine levels, replacing the habits associated with tobacco use, and learning new coping mechanisms for dealing with stressors and other triggers.”

Some smokers cite stress as a reason they continue to light up and quitting during a stressful time such as pandemic could seems insurmountable to some smokers.

“This is definitely hard because stress is one the biggest triggers for many people to use tobacco products,” Stormzand said. “Another common trigger for many is being alone…two things that are unfortunately both occurring right now during COVID-19 for many people. It is really important to identify what your triggers are and make a plan for when you know they may occur. Find something that you enjoy doing and make a plan to do it when you may encounter these triggers.”

Stormzand said some ideas that have worked for others to ease the discomfort of quitting tobacco include: Take a walk down to the mailbox or around your house; call a friend; keep your hands and mouth busy with a cigarette substitute (toothpick, straw, ice, gum, candy, carrot stick, etc.); listen to music; use a stress ball or fidget spinner; take deep breaths like you normally would when smoking.

“The good news is that typically cravings only last a few minutes, so if you can distract yourself for that time period the intense feelings will often subside,” Stormzand said. “I would also recommend over-the-counter NRT patches, gum, and lozenges to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms that are associated with triggers like stress.”

The county health department hasn’t seen an increase in demand for smoking cessation help, Stormzand said, “but we know that there are lots of people worried about their risks posed by COVID-19. We hope that we are able to connect these individuals with evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment, like QuitSmart or the Quitline, from the comfort of their home so they can start to make changes in their lives to improve their health right now.”

Many medical providers are able to offer tele-health appointments as well, Stormzand said.

Duke’s Smoking Cessation Program (919-613-7848) and the UNC Tobacco Cessation Program are also offering tele-therapy to help individuals quit smoking during the pandemic. To make an appointment with UNC, call 984-974-4976 or email ttp@med.unc.edu.