Whoopi is kicking butts -- you can too
I caught a minute of ABC's The View on Tuesday and learned that co-host Whoopi Goldberg is trying to quit smoking. Good for her."I want to be done by December 15," Whoopi told her audience. A wise plan, considering smoking damages nearly every organ in the human body, is linked to 10 different cancers, and accounts for 30 percent of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Yet one in four Americans still light up.
Smoking is by far the leading risk factor for lung cancer. And it is far more dangerous for women than men. Now wrap your head around this fact: The nicotine found in cigarettes is as addictive as heroin. If that's not reason enough to stop smoking, I don't know what is.
So are you ready to tackle your own smoking habit before it tackles you? If so, think about these tips and tricks offered by The View's special guest, Dr. Steven Lamm, medical editor for Best Life magazine.
First, set a quit date, says Dr. Lamm. Then tell everyone you know about your plan to stop smoking. The people in your life will hold you accountable. Next: choose a quit method. There's cold turkey -- although only five percent of people succeed this way -- and laser therapy, and hypnosis, and accupunture. But none of these avenues have very much science behind them. Dr. Lamm recommends a pharmacological approach, like the patch, gum, lozenges, and inhaler sprays. Each of these, which can be used in combination, contains traces of nicotine and works to wean individuals off their addictions.
There's also Wellbutrin, an anti-depressant that works well by calming and relaxing the body. This medication, given in 150 mg dosages, must be started five to six days prior to the quit date. Good news: weight gain, typical with some anti-depressants, is not a significant side effect.
Chantix is another option. It's a prescription medication that blocks nicotine receptors. It takes time to work, though, and tends to be expensive. It's also fairly new on the market which worries Whoopi. She thinks it needs more research.
There are also healthy lifestyle changes smokers can take in their quest to become non-smokers. These won't stop you from smoking but they'll contribute to your overall health. A nutritious diet, exercise, and a daily dose of vitamin C -- these levels drop when you smoke -- are all great methods for getting back on track. Try to solicit support from friends, family, and your doctor too.
Don't be discouraged if your efforts don't deliver right off the bat. Some people try five or six times before they quit for good. But it's worth the effort, even if it is hard.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
11-01-2007 @ 2:50PM
Fritaly said...
Or perhaps you could AVOID TOXINS that CAUSE Parkinson's instead of buying CANCEROUS CHEMICAL filled sticks that aren't just nicotine.
BTW Nicotinic acid is present in plants other than tobacco. But of course cig cos and big pharma don't want us to know. They might LOSE MONEY!
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11-01-2007 @ 2:51PM
Kate said...
I did not go cold turkey...I dropped places that I smoked...1st, in my new car. At home, I rarely smoked except in the bathroom and kitchen...next came the bathroom, and finally the kitchen. It wasn't long til I did not light up at all. I WANTED TO QUIT, AND DID!
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11-01-2007 @ 2:51PM
floristjan said...
My husband smoked non filter cigarettes for 45 years. He started Chantix 4 weeks ago, and has been smoke free for 3 weeks! Yes, Chantix is expensive... for us the RX equalled the price of 5 cartons of cigs, so once you get past the initial financial output, Chantix is well worth the money. I would highly recommend it to anyone. You are welcome to contact us.
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11-01-2007 @ 2:53PM
Peggie said...
I quit smoking one year ago this month after 39 years of smoking. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but I did it. I attempted to quit several times without success. I used the patch to help me quit but I had to do it my way, not the directions on the patche's way. My quiting was God's way of saving my life. After I quit I started gaining weight. I decided to start walking to help me loose weight but every time I would walk for more than 75 to 100 feet I would start having chest pain that would go away with rest. This past August I finally gave in and told my family doctor about it. She immediately did a cardiolite stess test which showed that I had 2 major blockages. I was scheduled for cardiac catherization in just a few days. The cardiologist was unable to correct the problem with stints so I ended up having bypass surgery the next morning. I am a 54 year old female not a 70 year old. I really feel that if I hadn't quit smoking when I did I wouldn't have lived much longer. Until I started feeling better after the surgery I didn't realize how sick I really was. I was so addicted to cigarettes that my family never thought that I could quit and stay quit. Today I seldom think about cigarettes and when I do it's just a fleeting thought. So Whoopi, I know you can do it and I am very proud of you for doing it.
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11-01-2007 @ 2:53PM
Skorchee said...
When everyone quits drinking and driving and, killing I'll stop smoking.
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11-01-2007 @ 2:54PM
jch said...
My doctor asked me if I wanted to quit smoking. I said yes. He said I will start you on Chantix and you will continue to smoke for 8 days; then you will stop. That's exactly what happened. I smoked for 43 years! I have not smoked or even slipped for 5 and a half months. Vivid, wierd dreams would be the only side effect I noticed. The money not spent buying cigarettes more than paid for the monthly Chantix prescription. It works!!
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11-01-2007 @ 3:11PM
Jacki said...
Yeah for those of you -- and your husbands -- who have kicked the habit! I hope you'll inspire others!
Jacki
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11-01-2007 @ 3:11PM
cachristie6218 said...
I have been smoke free for 55 days! I quit cold turkey.
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11-01-2007 @ 3:11PM
Herb said...
Those trying to quit might try a book called "Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allan Carr. I quit after 35 years using his method. I know it sounds odd, but you read the book and quit. It's a program more popular in Europe. I had already flunked cold turkey, smoke Enders, Patches, hynotism, and drug aids, and this worked!
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11-01-2007 @ 3:11PM
joann said...
Will Whoopie Cushion give up the Blunts she smokes also? I know she be bluntin' it!
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11-01-2007 @ 3:12PM
joann said...
I'd rather wake up by a cigarette smoker then a drinker! It is more then 1 in 4 people that smoke Someone is lying At my store and at casino's you see the truth We sell more cigarettes then anything
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11-01-2007 @ 3:13PM
Don Romine said...
I smoked for 51 years and at age 66 I made up my mind to quit and using the Wellbutrin Plan I found that quitting was no problem at all. I have not smoked now for 9 years. Occasionaly the thought of smoking does cross my mind, but I would not light up for a million bucks. I think the real key is having you mind completely conditioned
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11-01-2007 @ 3:13PM
geoff groedner said...
Now, if we could just get Whoopi to stop talking.
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11-01-2007 @ 3:19PM
vheath said...
Chantix is a miracle drug. My husband and I were on them for one month. No more cigerettes and feel fantastic.
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11-01-2007 @ 3:22PM
laura said...
I am 37 and smoked for 22 years and I used chantix to quit. I only used it for 2 weeks and felt all the side effects, the dreams the upset stomache nerves. But I decided they were better than the nighmares i had of dying of emphesema like my mother. I am now 224 days free of nicotine and feel great! It was worth each and every side effect and i kept telling myself that. The best is that I hope I broke the cycle with my children. One is to young to remember and it is quickly fading from the others mind. It is all about how much you want to do it. No excuses
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11-01-2007 @ 3:22PM
dorothy allen said...
smoking is a very destructive habit. I almost killed myself doing it. Don"t WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE PNEUMONIA BEFORE YOU QUIT, That is what happened to me, so I hope you will be smarter than I was,
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11-01-2007 @ 3:32PM
Steve said...
I am 40 years old and started smoing when was 16. I started the Chantix program and have been smoke free for 24 days now. I know it may not seem like a very long time to some but it is the longest i have gone without smoking for several years. I tried to quit cold turkey before and it lasted anywhere from 24-36 hours and I was in my car heading to the store to buy a pack. With Chantix i havent had those uncontrollable urges, I have had times when i would find myself reaching for cigarettes that werent there during those times when i would ALWAYS smoke, like after eating, when i sit at my computer, etc. I think the worst day I have had since i started taking Chantix was during the first 8 days when i was still smoking, it was like having a nicotine fit while i had a lit cigarette. I am one of the lucky ones, my insurance covers Chantix so i get a 28 day supply for just my $10 copay.I would recommend Chantix to anyone trying to quit
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11-01-2007 @ 3:32PM
Bill said...
I smoked for 24 yrs, my mother had lung cancer in both lungs and still can't stop. She has tried everything to stop but still no luck.I have been smoke free for 1 1/2 years now since her lung cancer. My way to stop is the easiest and most affordable way out there. Its called our temple! Thats right the place where jesus live. I watched Joyce Meyers Ministries and was so inspired that the cravings and habits just Stopped! Now thats Gauranteed you just need to give all your feelings to GOD and watch and see what happens. Good Luck.
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11-01-2007 @ 3:33PM
Pam said...
I have "chosen not to smoke" now for 15 years, after having smoked for 14 years, and I didn't even set a "stop date" or give it up on the advice of my doctor (although he had been after me for years to quit). The first few weeks, I simply awoke each morning and told myself that I was not going to pick up the cigs that morning, or in the afternoon, or evening. I found I really didn't miss them all that much, perhaps because I still don't say that I "quit" smoking -- I choose not to. I did tell myself at the beginning that if I REALLY REALLY wanted a smoke, I would allow myself to, and that has happened 3 times over the past 15 years. One or two cigarettes have been more than enough! I feel so much better and lost the weight I initially gained in a short period of time. Please, please give up the smokes -- I've lost too many friends and relatives to lung and throat cancer related to their smoking. It's not worth it. I have a dear friend who refuses to give it up and her health is suffering because of it, not to mention the fact that although we are the same age, she looks to be a good 10 years older than me!! Good luck to all attempting to quit by whatever method. Stick with it -- you will be glad you did!!!
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11-01-2007 @ 3:33PM
KAREN said...
MY HUBBY AND I QUIT COLD TURKEY..ME..24YRS AND HUBBY 16 YRS AGO.. IF I HADNT QUIT SMOKING I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.. IT WAS HARD BUT WE BOTH DID IT..AND IM GLAD.. I DONT LIKE BEING CONTROLED BY ANYTHING SO WHY WOULD I WANT TO CONTINUE TO BY CIGS. THE COST OF A PACK NOW A DAYS IS ALOT AND ID RATHER HAVE THE MONEY FOR SOMETHING ELSE..
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