Smoking cessation class encourages group environment

Smokers account for nearly one-third of the population in many Southeast Missouri counties, according to a 2011 county-level study by the Department of Health and Senior Services.

The study also reported that from 1999 to 2009, an estimated 1,271 incidents of smoking-related deaths occurred in Cape Girardeau County alone. In an effort to reduce the number of those in the population puffing away, the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center has teamed with Saint Francis Medical Center to offer a free smoking cessation program.

"There is a high percentage of individuals smoking in this area," said Jane Wernsman, executive director of the health center. "We want to try to intervene and address this problem, so we teamed up with Saint Francis to offer this program, which we think could greatly benefit those who want to quit."

The program is based on the Freedom From Smoking Program, which is offered at Saint Francis. According to Mary Jane Fieser, project coordinator for the tobacco cessation program at Saint Francis, the program features a small group setting, which increases chances of success.

"A lot of smokers try to quit, but if they do so with group support they tend to be more successful," she said.

The class is interactive, Fieser said, and gives participants a workbook and other informational materials to give them support and guidance outside of meetings. The program not only teaches smokers how to quit, she explained, but also teaches them how to live.

"We give people the skills they need to be smoke free," Fieser said. "We work on stress reduction, getting support from family and friends and how to live the rest of your life as a nonsmoker."

Topics covered in classes include lifestyle changes that make quitting easier, managing stress, and avoiding weight gain, developing new self-image and preparing for "Quit Day."

The program does not require participants to quit cold turkey, however. Fieser said the organizers understand it is "a hard thing to quit," and providing free nicotine replacement materials, such as nicotine gum or patches, can be a big help in making the transition from smoker to quitter.

"Quitting for a few days is easy; it's the long haul that's challenging," she said.

Wernsman said she is hopeful that residents will take advantage of the program, as it could set the pace for future smoking cessation programs

"If we get good response, then we will definitely try to find funding to continue the program in the future," she said.

The first class begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, 1121 Linden St. To learn more or register for the program, call Darah Jirkovsky at 275-7880 or email djirkovsky@breathehealthy.org.

As part of its student wellness programs, Southeast Missouri State University also offers a free smoking cessation class for faculty, staff and students. The program focuses on behavior change and assists smokers who choose to quit cold turkey as well as those who use nicotine replacement therapy.

The most recent program ended April 19. Sessions are held in Room 107 in the Student Recreation Center North, near the Show Me Center.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

1121 Linden St. Cape Girardeau, Mo.

750 New Madrid St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.