9-28-06
For Immediate Release: Contact Lee Rutledge-Falcione,
(724) 222-6511, Ext. 16
Want to Quit Smoking? Talk To Your Doctor
The Tobacco Free Program
of Washington County Health Partners (WCHP) encourages Washington
County Residents who want to quit smoking to talk to their
doctor about a medication treatment plan for cessation.
Quitting tobacco is not easy but it is possible. It takes
many people 7 or more attempts before they can quit using
tobacco. There are a variety of nicotine replacement therapies
that increase chances of getting tobacco free, such as gum,
patches, inhalers, and lozenges. Smokers wanting to quit
should consult with their physician for a suitable treatment
plan.
A new medication, Chantix, is showing promising results.
It was approved earlier this year by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), making it only the second pharmaceutical to receive
such approval (the other being Zyban).
Chantix, taken in pill form twice a day, works with receptors
in the brain to block the highly addictive effects of nicotine
while also reducing the withdrawal symptoms associated with
quitting.
The medication is already covered under many health insurance
plans with other plans expected to cover it soon.
Washington County Residents seeking more information on
quitting tobacco use can obtain a free Help to Quit Resource
Guide by calling the Tobacco Free Program at 1-866-904-FREE,
Ext. 12. The guide lists tobacco cessation resources available
in the county.
Funding is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Tobacco Free Program
Washington County
Health Partners, Inc. (WCHP) was named by the Pennsylvania
Department of Health as the primary contractor to continue
to establish community-based, comprehensive tobacco use
prevention and cessation programs for Washington County
between May 2005 and June 2007. The Tobacco Free Program
has carefully addressed each of the contract deliverables
through 7 program areas:
¨
Ask and Advise
helps health care professionals to identify and help Tobacco
Users to quit.
¨
Clear the Air
increases the number of smoke-free environments.
¨
Do Your Part
supports local law enforcement and the business community
in prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors.
¨
Help to Quit
promotes local, phone, and internet-based tobacco cessation
programs.
¨
Knowledge in Action facilitates the exchange of tobacco control-related information between
experts, advocates, and lawmakers.
¨
Set Them Free
works with school-related audiences to implement tobacco-free
programs.
¨
Peer Factor
(BUSTED!)
creates an active youth movement that participates in one
or more of the Peer Factor challenges: to expose the truth
about manipulative and deceptive marketing practices used
to target teens, quit or help others quit using tobacco,
and/or work to increase tobacco-free environments.
For
more information, contact the Tobacco
Free Program at:
724-222-6511, toll free 1-866-904-FREE (3733), or info@tobaccofreewashington.org.
Washington
County Health Partners, Inc.
Incorporated in 2000, Washington County Health Partners,
Inc. (WCHP) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to
the enhancement of the health and well-being of Washington County
residents. Recognized
as a State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) Community Health
Partnership by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, WCHP
performs periodic community health assessments to identify
county health issues.
WCHP
provides a forum through its volunteer-led, collaborative
task forces for health and human service agencies, businesses,
local government, schools and colleges, the faith community,
civic organizations, community volunteers, and law enforcement
to combine expertise and resources to address health issues,
including access to health insurance, community wellness,
minority health, nutrition, respiratory health, teen wellness,
and tobacco free initiatives.
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