The Michigan Department of Community Health, MSU healthy campus initiative and the MSU physician’s office are now offering a free tobacco quitline to all MSU employees, spouses of employees and students. The quitline offers helpful resources to those interested in quitting or who want to help a loved one quit smoking.
During the first commitment-free phone call, callers will learn more about how this service. A professional coach will find out what callers personally need to help them quit and develop a plan.
Special services and information are available for pregnancy, spit-tobacco use, non-English speaking callers and people with hearing impairments.
“The nicotine in commercial tobacco is very addictive, making quitting difficult for many," said Greg Holzman, director of the healthy campus initiative. “Support of friends and family is key when someone decides to quit.”
“Members of the MSU community can call the quitline for assistance and information on quitting or for tips to support loved ones who want to quit tobacco use,” said Nick Lyon, director of the Michigan Department of Community Health.
According to the National Institutes of Health, people who stop smoking experience immediate and long-term benefits. Heart rate and blood pressure begin to return to normal. The level of carbon monoxide in the blood begins to decline within a few hours of quitting. In a few weeks, people who quit smoking have improved circulation, produce less phlegm and don’t cough or wheeze as often. Within several months of quitting, people can expect substantial improvements in lung function.
In addition, people who quit smoking will have an improved sense of smell and food will taste better. Long-term benefits include reducing the risk of early death, cancer and other diseases, such as heart disease and emphysema.
Non-smokers’ breath smells better, stained teeth will be whiter, clothes and hair won’t have a stale cigarette smell and everyday activities such as climbing stairs and walking become easier. Quitting can save money spent on cigarettes, as well as decrease health care costs. Quitting also protects loved ones from the dangers of breathing in secondhand smoke and the toxins that come with it.
“Smokers who quit or are trying to quit shouldn’t replace cigarettes with other tobacco products,” said David Weismantel, MSU’s university physician. Nicotine and harmful chemicals and poisons are in all tobacco products including smokeless tobacco, pipes, cigars, e-cigs and hookahs.”
For more information about what you can do to help yourself or a loved one quit smoking or other tobacco products, call (800) 784-8669.