Download Smoking Cessation Patient Education

SMOKING CESSATION: AVOIDING TOBACCO
Patient Education Manual - Hershey Medical Center
Replaces: September, 2002
Number: PE-110
Effective: January, 2004
This handout will help you handle the following:
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What are the harmful effects of tobacco?
Why is the tobacco habit is hard to break?
What steps can help you to quit?
How can you get more information about quitting?
What Are the Harmful Effects of Tobacco?
All forms of tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and snuff) contain chemicals
that are hazardous to your health. Nicotine and carbon monoxide are the main culprits, but there
are over 400 other harmful ingredients. In general, tobacco use increases the workload of the
heart and is the major cause of premature death from heart disease.
Smoking is particularly risky for people who have heart disease or high blood pressure. Tobacco
products raise blood pressure, increase the heart rate, narrow arteries, and decreases the blood
supply to the heart. Smoking also causes abnormal blood clotting and the build up of fatty
material called plaque, which cause coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease.
Why Is the Tobacco Habit Hard to Break?
Most tobacco users are aware of the health risks, and most smokers want to quit. But quitting is
not easy, because tobacco habits are physically and emotionally satisfying. Nicotine addiction
has been identified as the main reason that people continue to use tobacco.
Tobacco use is a complex habit because it is tied to many daily routines and is also used to help
people relax and reduce stress. For you to be successful at quitting, you need to address the
physical addiction and the behavior addiction of your tobacco use. Tobacco use is a habit, but
one that you can break.
What Steps Can Help You to Quit?
If you are thinking about quitting you may find the following steps and work sheet helpful to get
started:
Consider Yourself a Nonsmoker
Because you are in the hospital, you should not have smoked since your admission.
Have your family get rid of all tobacco products at home and in your car so that you will not be
tempted to start again after discharge. Let people know that you have quit so they can support
you in your efforts.
Identify Your Triggers
Many people reach for a cigarette or chew tobacco automatically because they are in the habit of
smoking at certain times and in certain situations. These are called triggers.
List the situations that trigger your habit, then list possible substitutions or ways to alter your
routine to avoid automatically reaching for your cigarettes or chew. By knowing your triggers
and planning a substitute behavior, you can catch yourself before you light up or chew out of
pure habit. See the following example, and then prepare your own list:
List of tobacco triggers and substitutions
1. Cigarette with morning coffee—Plan to drink morning coffee in a different room or in a
different chair, or take a coffee break in a non-smoking area to change routine.
Stressful Situations and Ways to Cope Without Tobacco
You are now aware of situations and feelings that trigger your use of tobacco. By thinking about
them while you are in the hospital and planning alternatives for after you leave, you are in a
better position to avoid them and remain a nonsmoker.
Many people smoke when they are under stress and during crises because they associate their
tobacco use with relaxing. These situations may be hard to deal with unless you have a plan
ahead of time. See the following example, and then list some stressful situations that may give
you the urge to smoke or chew tobacco, and some ways to deal with your feelings.
1. When things are tense on the job—Try taking a long deep breath, count to ten, and
release it. Repeat several times until you feel relaxed.
If you use tobacco again, don’t be too hard on yourself. One slip does not mean that you are a
failure or that you cannot be a nonsmoker. If you slip, it is important to get yourself on the
nonsmoking track immediately. Review your triggers and coping skills, and try again.
Consult with your physician for any smoking cessation aides such as: the nicotine patch chewing
gum or presumption medications.
For the following pamphlets and more information and resources to help you quit:
Calling It Quits
American Heart Association
1-800-242-8721
FRESHSTART
American Cancer Society
1-717- 231-5780
Freedom from Smoking
American Lung Association
1-717-541-5864
Reviewed: 10/94, 9/02, 1/04
Revised: 9/02
Patient Education Manual - Hershey Medical Center
Smoking Cessation: Avoiding Tobacco
Number: PE-110
Effective: January, 2004