Kick Butts Day to help smokers quit
Those looking for a date to quit smoking might consider April 5 — National Kick Butts Day.
This annual event not only helps adults quit, but also encourages kids not to begin smoking.
Some OCCC smokers said a smoke-free life is not for them.
“I have been smoking for 10 years,” said Terrence Maranell. “I have tried to quit numerous times by cold turkey. It just didn’t work.”
Wyatt Fairchild, sophomore, said he hasn’t been smoking long and he doesn’t plan on quitting anytime soon.
About 5,800 adults in Oklahoma die annually from their first hand smoking, according to www.tobaccofreekids.org.
Five-hundred and seventy to 1,010 adults, children and babies die from secondhand smoke in Oklahoma, the website reports.
Nicotine Anonymous groups offer several tips on how to kick the habit of smoking cigarettes:
• It helps many people to develop a plan that consists of the method used to quit, whether it is by cold turkey, using a nicotine replacement or hypnosis.
• It helps people if they set a date and stick with it. Look forward to that date as a date to start a healthy lifestyle.
• Replace the nicotine habit with a healthier one. Try exercising, meditation or some type of relaxing entertainment.
• Getting the support of friends and family will foster motivation to stick to the program.
• Also, it encourages other smokers to quit when they know someone who will quit with them.
For free support with a counselor, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Staff Writer Holly Jones can be reached at StaffWriter1@occc.edu.
