Guess what sales plummet during cold months?
In
Cigarette sales peak in
The weather effect is even more pronounced in
The weather effect reverses in
Mark Harris, who hosts a
"Of course, the first of the year always has a surge from people who've made a
For smokers tired of lighting up in the
Harris' drop-in quit smoking support group meets from
Chantix activates nicotine receptors in the brain, giving smokers mild nicotine-like effects and easing withdrawal symptoms. At the same time, it helps block nicotine from attaching to the receptors if smokers backslide and light up.
"Nicotine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, causing a release of adrenaline. People get a rush of pleasure and energy from nicotine. But they are not long-lasting effects," Harris said, noting that it doesn't take long before a person has a craving for another cigarette.
Like the Oregon Health Plan, which covers 1 in 3
"The health care costs associated with smoking are huge. Carriers are very, very motivated to help people quit smoking," Harris said.
People who can't attend the lunchtime support group can call the Oregon Tobacco Quit Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Coaches offer tips and help callers make plans to quit. Information is also available online at www.quitnow.net/Oregon.
Harris said interactive apps such as
Plan to Quit
Harris said the first step in a quit-smoking effort is to find a reason to give up the habit.
Many people want to quit because of the health consequences.
"We need to look honestly at the health costs. We tend to fool ourselves about the amount of damage it actually does," said Harris, a former smoker. "For me, it was a matter of being honest with myself and looking at the health cost and the horrible damage it does and deciding it didn't make sense for my life and lifestyle. You've got to find your own reasons to quit. Everyone knows they should quit."
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death worldwide, he pointed out.
In
Among current adult smokers, 8,634 in
Smoking causes
Planning ahead can help people quit.
Harris recommends getting rid of ashtrays, resolving not to smoke in the car and laundering clothes so they don't smell like stale smoke. Because smoking damages people's sense of smell and taste, they gradually will become more sensitive to lingering smoke odors once they stop.
Tell supportive family members or friends that you plan to quit, and enlist someone to help, preferably a nonsmoker, he said.
"Say, 'I'm quitting smoking. Can you please help me be accountable?' " Harris suggested. "For those who are asked to help someone quit, be positive and encouraging. Say, 'I notice you're smoking less. I'm really proud of you.' "
If possible, team up with a quit buddy you can call or text when urges strike. Or stay occupied using a quit-smoking app on your phone, he said.
While some people quit cold turkey, Harris recommends tapering off cigarettes to reduce withdrawal symptoms.
On the first day, plan to stay busy with enjoyable activities and spend time around other people to fend off boredom and stress -- the biggest triggers for smoking, Harris said.
Substitute smoking with healthy habits.
"It's challenging to leave a void. Instead of a pack of cigarettes, you can carry a survival kit. Carrot sticks are great. There's no unwanted weight gain, they mimic the size and shape of cigarettes and eating them is a substitute for the hand-to-mouth action of smoking," he said.
Celery sticks, hard candy and cinnamon-flavored toothpicks are also good substitutes.
"A cigarette tastes horrible after cinnamon," said Harris, who hands out flavored toothpicks at the weekly support group meetings.
Instead of standing outside smoking, take a walk around the block, he urged.
"Replace the bad habit with a good, healthy habit," Harris said.
Exercise is especially helpful as people deal with the loss of the adrenaline surge that comes from nicotine.
Exercise releases endorphins -- feel-good chemicals that ease perceptions of pain, induce a sense of well-being and trigger a sense of euphoria sometimes referred to as a runner's high, according to sports and exercise psychologists.
People should reward themselves on the journey to becoming ex-smokers, Harris said.
"Sometimes I'll have people take that
Harris said people shouldn't give up if they backslide and smoke a cigarette. Most smokers have to try many times before they finally kick the habit.
"Don't be discouraged by a setback. Use it as a learning tool," he said. "How did you feel after a slip? Did you even enjoy it? A lot of people will say, 'I felt terrible about myself and I didn't even enjoy it.' Don't be hard on yourself about setbacks. Expect them to happen. Just remember, with all the information about the health risks and the damage smoking does, can you really justify smoking anymore?"
-- Reach staff reporter
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