Helping
People Who Smoke - Tobacco Dependence Treatment, General Info
and Sources for Help
General information about tobacco dependence
Tobacco
addiction is powerful. After only a few cigarettes, minors
show signs of dependence. Many people suffering severe health
problems caused by tobacco continue to smoke. Some people
addicted to cocaine and other "hard" drugs have
described tobacco as more addictive.
Most
smokers want to quit. Tobacco industry characterization
of smoking as an "adult freedom of choice" is not
true. Most smokers started in childhood, were not adequately
informed, were soon addicted, and wish they were nonsmokers.
Smokefree
air laws and policies are scientifically proven to reduce
smoking and to help people remain or become nonsmokers.
Other proven methods to reduce smoking are increased taxes
on tobacco and paid counter-advertising that focuses on the
hazards of secondhand smoke and the tactics of the tobacco
industry.
Smokers
often need to make repeated attempts to become nonsmokers,
but each attempt helps them to increase their knowledge and
skills.
Teen
smokers benefit from programs designed especially for them.
The
health of smokers immediately begins to improve when they
become nonsmokers. But the effects of smoking are multifaceted;
some damage ends or reverses quickly while some effects are
long-lasting or irreversible.
Sources for help
The
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services provides
three kinds of NJ Quit Services:
- New
Jersey Quitline (866 NJ STOPS or 866 657-8677) provides
free telephone-based counseling, available six days a week,
in 26 languages, by counselors trained by the Mayo Foundation.
- New
Jersey Quitnet (www.njquitnet.com)
provides online information, counseling, and referral service
plus online peer support.
- New
Jersey Quitcenters provide low-cost, professional counseling
in group or individual sessions. To find a clinic, go to
www.njquit2win.com.
Programs
and assistance, including on-site clinics, are available from
non-profit organizations, including the American
Lung Association of New Jersey, the American
Cancer Society, some hospitals and adult schools, and
others.
For-profit
services and products are advertised and listed in telephone
directories.
This
page updated April 11, 2006.
|
