Want to quit smoking? Here’s how

The Community Guidance Center under the Commonwealth Health Center launched yesterday the Tobacco Cessation Program to encourage tobacco users to give up their unhealthy habit.

The Tobacco Cessation Program, which runs for six weeks or until Nov. 21, is open to all tobacco users 18 years or older and features sessions every Monday from 5pm to 6:30pm to help those who want to quit tobacco use for free.

“Our goal is to have a tobacco-free CNMI,” Velma Del Rosario, CGC tobacco quit line coach, told Saipan Tribune in a phone interview yesterday.

Del Rosario said that studies show that cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known carcinogenic or cancer-causing compounds such as nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide. It also has other chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, arsenic, and hydrogen cyanide.

“It’s really dangerous to the health,” said Del Rosario, noting that cigarette smoke is not only harmful for the smoker but also to others who suffer second-hand and third-hand smoke. “Even as a non-smoker, you’re not safe at all.”

Del Rosario noted that it’s hard for smokers to give up their habit but many attempt to quit and join their program for two reasons: health and family.

She said the program also features different classes that will assist smokers give up tobacco use such as relapse prevention, stress management, and nutrition for fitness “and they are open to any adult who’s planning to quit.”

Del Rosario noted that the program also provides nicotine replacement therapy-nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges-which are costly but comes free for program participants.

There are also those who have already quit but relapse. According to Del Rosario, they try to talk to them and have one-on-one discussions on what made them go back to their old habit such as pressure from work and peers and address it by giving them tips, telling them success stories, getting help from support groups, and establishing practical goals like gradually cutting down the number of cigarettes they smoke until they reach zero.

When they are able to meet their self-made goals, Del Rosario said they encourage participants to “celebrate each success” with family members and those in the program.

“Within 20 minutes of quitting, your body begins to have series of changes in your system for the better,” said Del Rosario. These changes include dropping one’s blood pressure, pulse rate, and body temperature to normal.

Del Rosario disclosed that this is their fourth cessation program this year.

According to Del Rosario, they hold the program funded by a federal grant about thrice a year: from January to February, April to May, and October to November.

Del Rosario said they have a number of activities lined up for their efforts to have a smoke-free CNMI, including the Great Marianas Smokeout next month.

She encourages tobacco users to take advantage of the Tobacco Cessation Program. “Better quit now than when it’s too late,” said Del Rosario.

To join the program or for more information, call 323-QUIT (7848).