The American Cancer Society recognizes Nov. 17 as this year’s Great American Smokeout, and as the day approaches, the MHealthy Tobacco Consultation Service is offering the university community a number of services and resources to help smokers plan to quit.
Wall of Inspiration
more information
Anyone visiting the Towsley Center at the U-M Health System in November can stop by to view the Tobacco Consultation Service’s Wall of Inspiration display. It features testimonials from TCS clients who have been successful at quitting tobacco, like Sheila Lorenzen, a former U-M Hospital patient.
“This program taught me how to be a non-smoker, prepared me for any challenges I would face, and made a game plan for when times get stressful,” says Lorenzen. “I have now been a non-smoker for six months and it has totally changed my life. I can now do the things I couldn’t do for years, like chase and play with my granddaughter.”
The wall also includes information and resources that can help anyone who wants to live tobacco-free.
Webinar for tobacco professionals
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently finalized a rule that extends its regulatory authority to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, and hookah and pipe tobacco, as part of its goal to improve public health.
TCS and the FDA Center for Tobacco Products are holding a free, 60-minute webinar from 1-2:15 p.m. Tuesday for professionals working in tobacco treatment, prevention and advocacy. The webinar will discuss the FDA’s new Tobacco Rule, its components, what regulations are currently in place and what regulations are still to come.
Kate Collins, regulatory counsel in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products, will lead the discussion. Collins has extensive knowledge of the proposed and final rules deeming tobacco products to be subject to FDA’s Tobacco Control Act.
Attendance is free, but registration is required. To register, email [email protected].
Quit kits
To help smokers make a plan to quit smoking, TCS also offers an online virtual quit kit with tools to help tobacco users “Quit For A Day.” Physical quit kits are also available through TCS and U-M health care providers.
One-on-one counseling
University faculty, staff and their spouses can also get free, one-on-one individual counseling focused on the body, mind, and social reasons for using tobacco.
Outreach
TCS experts are available to attend staff meetings for 5- to 10-minute presentations to talk about the resources available through the program.
Sue Steiner
I quit smoking over 8 years ago after having smoked for 30 years with the help of TCS and consider it one of my greatest achievements. I encourage all who want to quit to take advantage of the services TCS has to offer. Sure, those first couple of days were challenging, but you are given the resources and counseling support to succeed.
Former Smoker
If you really want to quite smoking, consider Zyban. Used ad directed, smoking will become nauseating (i,e intolerable) and you will simply not be able to continue your habit, even if you tried. Much more effective than TCS.