Dear Editor:
Everyone quits smoking. You either choose to quit and are successful – hooray! – or you die.
In the case of my father, you die. And more often than not, the death from smoking and smoking-related illness is miserable: Cancer, emphysema, heart attacks, strokes. None of this is glamourous, wonderful, or awesome. Smoking sucks. Cigarettes are a small, expensive box of death. But I will not continue to be negative here. As a physician, I have seen the very best happen. I have seen countless numbers of people quit, and live free from the prison that was their tobacco addiction.
Thursday, Nov. 15 marks the 43rd annual Great American Smokeout! Millions of Americans choose this day as their date to finally kick the habit of cigarette smoking. Can you believe there are now more non-smokers than smokers in our great United States?
You are probably thinking, “Impossible. It is too hard, I’ve tried one too many times! I simply can’t do it.”
But you can. You can crush that little box of death now and forever. Let the Great American Smokeout help you.
Pick you quit date. Nov. 15 is as good a day as any! Tell your family and friends. They can be a wonderful source of support and encouragement for you in this journey to a healthier life.
Be prepared! Nothing in life that is richly rewarding is ever easy, so set yourself up for success. Buy some puzzles, get some new running shoes, or try some fancy new gum. Anything can be a distraction.
Toss those packs! Don’t save one pack “just in case.” Pitch them all, burn them in your fire pit. Have a funeral for your Camels. Have confidence in your ability this time.
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. This helpline can be a lifesaver, or should I say a quit-saver. As a shameless plug for those of us who truly care, talk to your doctor or nurse. We have so much information that can help you. We don’t want the next phone call or visit to be the one where we tell you about that new spot on your lung.
I could not save my father. To this day, I share his story with every patient that passes my way. Many of my patients have quit smoking, and every single one of them tells me the same thing: “I feel so much better!” “I can’t believe it took me this long!” “I am so proud of myself.”
The tobacco companies want your money and your life. You can change that. Pick that date. Quit … for good.
Nov. 15 can mark the first day of the rest of your healthy life.
Cynthia Meneghini MD, FAAFP
Indianapolis