Experts stress ‘can-do’ in quitting smoking
12/3/08 | 10 comments

Experts stress ‘can-do’ in quitting smoking


By Meg Haskell
BDN Staff

ORONO, Maine — Despite growing scientific evidence about the dangers of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, many doctors steer clear of discussing the issue with their patients, a tobacco cessation expert said Tuesday.

“It’s getting better, but many physicians don’t see this as part of their job,” said Fred Wolff, manager of education and training for the Center for Tobacco Independence at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Wolff was among several presenters on Tuesday at a conference in Orono aimed at putting short, effective cessation techniques — “brief interventions” — into the hands of teachers, counselors, nurses and others with opportunities to support Mainers who are ready to quit smoking, or just thinking about it.

Topics included the importance of expressing empathy with smokers, acknowledging their ambivalence about quitting and inviting them to explore the positive and negative aspects of smoking versus quitting.

“Tobacco users often hold the belief that if they have tried to quit and failed, it is hopeless,” said presenter Dawn Littlefield of the Healthy Sebasticook Valley program in Skowhegan. In fact, she said, the opposite is true: Each time people swear off the smoking habit, the better they understand — and can avoid next time — the environmental “triggers” that cause them to start again.

“If they slip up, it’s just a slip-up,” Littlefield said. “We can help them get back on track, maintain their progress, and avoid the ‘all-or-nothing’ principle.”

Workshop participant Awa Conteh, a housing coordinator with the city of Bangor, said her clients, many of whom have a mental illness, often casually express a desire to quit smoking.

“I’ve never smoked in my life,” she said, “so even engaging them in a conversation is difficult.” Conteh said she expected to use some of the techniques presented at the workshop, such as helping clients express their motivations for quitting and the challenges they face in doing so.

Amy McCormick, a guidance counselor at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, said the at-risk students she works with typically have more immediate problems to address, such as drug and alcohol abuse.

“It can be hard to prioritize smoking,” she said, but the brief interventions identified at the conference should prove helpful in keeping the issue on the table.

Wolff said the reasons doctors may fail to include therapeutic support for smoking cessation in their practices are complex. They include “a sense of hopelessness” about persuading addicted patients to kick the tobacco habit and the financial reality that insurance policies may not pay doctors for the time it takes to counsel patients through the sometimes drawn-out process of cessation, he said.

In addition to the statewide schedule of workshops, the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine provides guidance and support to physician practices, dental offices and other clinical settings, Wolff said, including help in billing for tobacco cessation counseling.

About 40 people attended the half-day workshop at the Black Bear Inn from as far away as Farmington and Lubec.

The next workshop will take place on March 4 at the Penobscot Bay YMCA in Rockport.

www.tobaccofreemaine.org

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Comments
10 comments on this item
On 12/3/08 at 6:08 AM, Mainer50 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well, I must be with enlightened Dr.s. When I started having medical issues, the Dr.s told me to quit smoking because my issues would only get worse. I didn't have just one Dr. I had several Dr.s tell me that. That was 7 yrs. ago. I have noticed that alot of professionals, even dentsits are quite willing to tell patients about the hazard of smokings and the ramifications, even right down to bladder cancer. Wonder if beating a dead drum is happening.

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On 12/3/08 at 6:46 AM, Lorrie wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This constant anti-smoking thing that's on the radio, tv, magazines, bathrooms, walls and doors, every where is actually working against it's self. Those trying to quit are reminded every15 minutes or less about it, making it impossible to not think about it. I know a dozen people who never smoked, never thought about smoking but have been talked into it by all these ads. I overheard a co-worker who was trying to quit say in the 5 minutes it took him to walk from his car to his work area, he's heard ads on three different radio stations and 5 posters and how is anyone suppose to quit when they are reminded constantly. He said it was his 4th and last attempt in the past 8 months. I can see how this would be a problem it's like wanting an injury to heal but everywhere you go someone digs at it. It's common knowledge that when you constantly nag someone about something it generally backfires.

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On 12/3/08 at 7:27 AM, anne_of_mdi wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I smoked on and off for decades and considered myself an addict. I was finally able to quit because I was ready and I used Commit lozenges which I highly recommend for anyone who is trying to quit. They totally neutralize the nicotine craving and make it a non-issue. They're somewhat expensive but no more than those "coughin' nails."

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On 12/3/08 at 8:07 AM, LarrySG wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I don't understand how someone who has never smoked can be an "expert" on quitting. And my doctors told me for at least 20 years to quit (I don't know where these so called experts get their information). I quit two years, one month and nine days ago and not a day has gone by that I did'nt want to smoke. Of course I'm no expert!

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On 12/3/08 at 11:43 AM, mariahstorm wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Expert? How old is this guy? 26? This is 'his' new thing. So don't smoke and stay away from those who do. Simple! Have you seen the brown clouds floating overhead??? Wonder what that is and which would be MORE dangerous to my health? Some professors are fools just like the rest of the people in this world. Don't believe everything they try to make you believe. Colleges today seem to want to ENFORCE rather than to teach. Kids, listen up, this is how they begin taking your rights away at school. Notice we no longer have sit-ins or student unions...they all went vending machine and no smoking ...now they are vacant. Your School took them over!!!!! This is where you fight for your rights.

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On 12/3/08 at 11:46 AM, mariahstorm wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

they have funds they want to spend........put it on health care period!!!!!

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On 12/3/08 at 11:46 AM, mariahstorm wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Gulible!

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On 12/3/08 at 12:26 PM, ironwolf56 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Nice going BDN. You ran a one-sided PRESS RELEASE from the moonbat anti-smoking loudmouths (all four of these idiots) here in Orono. Look at the bottom, it's from a PR desk. LAZY JOURNALISM BDN!

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On 12/3/08 at 1:08 PM, anne_of_mdi wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It's not a press release. It was written by Meg Haskell.

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On 12/7/08 at 3:19 PM, iamdee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

When will the harassment of smokers end? It's unbelievable how this state continues to beat a dead horse. The antismoking commercials are a joke. you cant nag someone into quitting smoking. And how many people avoid going to a doctor or dentist Just to avoid a lecture.But sometimes you have to so and then your a captive audience. oh well in one ear and out the other. Besides what would this state do without the extortion? You know what i mean the Tobacco tax! LOL

Dee

www.smokersclubinc.com

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