Genesis Helps Smokers Kick the Habit

Recent $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase could spur some to quit

DAVENPORT, IOWA - Christine Pekios knows the subject of quitting tobacco use from personal and professional perspectives.

Pekios, a Registered Respiratory Therapist and the tobacco cessation facilitator at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, was a smoker herself until 11 years ago. She understands the power of tobacco addiction, but also the vital importance of quitting tobacco use. “It took me three serious attempts to quit. I tried about everything I could think of,’’ she said. “We tell people in our classes that they haven’t failed until they quit trying.’’

Following the recent passage of a $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase in Iowa, Pekios anticipates that more smokers in the Quad Cities region will be making an attempt to end the costly, unhealthy habit.

“We hope that is the case. We’re at least hearing from smokers who are talking about the high cost. They are going to feel the crunch on their wallets,’’ Pekios said. “The first step is to have the commitment, the deep desire, to want to quit, whether that is because of the cost, the health factors, or whatever reason.’’

Plenty of help available

More tools than ever before are available to help smokers quit, she said. Tobacco users, who combine a cessation program with a nicotine replacement, or a prescription aid, have the best chance for quitting.

“All of the studies show that if you participate in a class like ours and use online support, and use some type of nicotine replacement product, the success rate is better,’’ she said. “These days, there are so many methods out there to quit, and they can be tailored to different people’s needs.’’

Here are some of the tobacco cessation tools that participants in the Genesis smoking cessation program learn about:

• Nicotine replacement – Patches, gum and lozenges. They work by replacing the nicotine from smoking and softening the urges to smoke, while also overcoming the psychological addiction.
• Chantix (varenicline) – Prescription medication is designed to block nicotine from receptors in the brain. The result is that nicotine doesn’t reach receptors and the feeling of pleasure from smoking is negated.
• Zyban, Wellbutrin (bupropion) – Zyban works at the neurological level, reducing the craving for nicotine in any form. The urge to smoke is softened.
• “Cold Turkey’’ – Quitting without another aid works for some. Statistics are better for other methods.
• Hypnosis – Pekios said hypnosis can work for smokers who are deeply committed to quitting. “It is possible that all of these can and will work for some people. The important message is that if one doesn’t work for you personally, then try something else and keep trying,’’ Pekios said. “It takes most people several attempts to really quit for good.’’

In tobacco cessation classes, participants are also taught relaxation techniques, including deep breathing exercises.

“If you think about it, deep breathing is similar to the act of smoking, without having the cigarette,’’ Pekios explained. “Some people find that deep breathing can be a substitute for deep breaths taken from a cigarette.’’

Genesis tobacco cessation classes run for four weeks and cost $70. Some insurers will pay for the program costs. For more information on a smoking cessation program, call Genesis On Call at (563) 421-2000.

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