In an effort to decrease smoking in Dane County, Tobacco Free Dane County Coalition organized its second “Clearing the Air” seminar Friday at the Alliant Energy Center.
The convention aimed to eliminate the “primary cause of preventable illness and premature death in our state.” The seminar was divided into three sessions: Clean Air, Don’t Start, and Quit Now.
The “Helping Someone Quit: Using Brief Interventions” explained brief and effective treatments available for tobacco cessation and dependence as an addiction.
The TFDCC offered tips for quitting including the possible use of medications for those who wish to quit smoking.
TFDCC also recommended picking a quit date, getting support or a quitting partner, making a list of benefits and preparing for nicotine withdrawal.
The panel said the “4 D’s” or deep breathing, drinking water, delaying and doing something else could be helpful in quitting. Rewards and repeated attempts may also prove effective in quitting.
The presentation included ways for those striving to quit smoking to get assistance in their quitting. Approaching a health-care provider, dental-care provider, pharmacist, employee assistance and occupational health programs at places of employment, health-insurance plans, counseling services and public libraries are all be resources for smokers.
Mike Drilias spoke about “The Economic Realities of Tobacco Control.”
Drilias said raising the costs of cigarettes to get people to quit and making them understand the yearly cost of smoking was an effective method to curb smoking.
“Raising costs helps people quit,” said Joshua Todd, a UW-Madison student who helped organize the event. “It internalizes costs for smokers and pays for the cost of treating smoking related illnesses.”
The American Lung Association presented “Preventing Childhood Secondhand Smoke Exposure: Take it Outside.”
The session focused on how to get adults, primarily parents, to smoke outside and to not smoke in their cars. This presentation dealt with children’s proximity to smoking and the effects it may have on their likelihood to smoke.
“By limiting a child’s exposure to smoke and smoking, we can route out the problem of young people smoking,” said presenter Jessica Laub. “Most people smoke because they were brought up with it and it has become a natural thing to do, not a dangerous and disgusting habit.”
Various programs exist to prevent childhood and teenage smoking, including curriculum in schools and media efforts.
The session concluded with closing remarks from state Rep. Mark Miller, D-Monona. Miller said working with schools and working with students directly is a key asset to curbing smoking.
“The main focus was preventing youth smoking,” said Todd. “Obviously, the main goal was aimed at preventing youth smoking, especially among the heavily targeted African and Native American youth communities.”
The American Lung Association of Wisconsin offers numerous self-help programs and materials to those wishing to stop smoking, and can be reached at 1-800-586-4872.
