The Tobacco Cessation Center at Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc. has been engaged
in many activities both state-wide and locally. These activities have made the Cessation
Center at STHCS a leader in developing policies and programs that have and will continue to
help reduce the impact of tobacco use in Southwestern New York.
There are 19 cessation centers that blanket every New York State county. Our primary
mission is to aid practicing clinicians in the implementation of the Public Health Service (PHS)
Clinical Practice Guideline for Tobacco Use Cessation. We often work with hospitals, large
provider groups and physician offices to implement a systems change towards addressing
patient tobacco use at every clinical visit. All eight hospitals in our catchment area of
Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Allegany and Wyoming counties have agreed to implement the
PHS Clinical Practice Guidelines for Tobacco Use Cessation, to varying degrees. STHCS’
Tobacco Cessation Center also works with healthcare facilities to encourage the adoption of
smoke-free campus policies to address relapse prevention and any transient exposures to
second-hand smoke. A list of facilities our Center has assisted is included on the back of this
sheet.
The Cessation Center at STHCS has also contributed to helping a number of other area
agencies with their smoking cessation programs for employees, customers and visitors
through various educational programs and outreach activities. These programs have been
executed through partnerships with the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Strong
Ties Pharmacy Program (Rochester), The NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, the
American Academy of Respiratory Care, SUNY Upstate Medical University (Syracuse) and the
University of Buffalo’s School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine and Biological Sciences.
Continuing medical education credits have been offered to many health care providers during
these trainings. To date, over 300 health care providers, worksite wellness and human
resource personnel have been educated on various topics related to tobacco cessation.
Our Center continues to be a leader on state-wide initiatives as well. STHCS is the lead
sponsor of CME accreditation for our bi-monthly cessation education conference calls that are
available to practitioners across the state. Additionally, through an extended partnership with
the University of Buffalo we have created a performance improvement CME program that will
allow physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners receive 20 CME credit hours for
year-long participation in the program. A pilot study is currently under way with the STHCS
cessation center taking the lead. State-wide roll-out of the program began in October 2007.
Why do you smoke?
Before quitting, it is important to identify your reasons for smoking in the first place. Here are
some common reasons why people smoke:
When do you smoke?
It is also imperative to identify causes, or triggers, for smoking. Common causes include:
Why do you want to quit?
You have decided you want to quit - WHY? It is crucial to know exactly why you want to quit
smoking so you can remember why when you have the urge to smoke. Some common reasons
include:
The Four D's
According to the website, www.lungusa.org, you can't avoid all your smoking triggers, but you
can resist them using the "Four D's."
What is your mindset?
It is hard to quit smoking and maintain a positive attitude. Become aware of your negative
mindset and change it!
Pick a Quit Day!
For more information about smoking cessation, please contact us by E-MAIL or call one of our
Cessation Coordinators at 372-0614.
Patrick O'Connell
pat@sthcs.org
Jamie Roulo
jamie@sthcs.org
in many activities both state-wide and locally. These activities have made the Cessation
Center at STHCS a leader in developing policies and programs that have and will continue to
help reduce the impact of tobacco use in Southwestern New York.
There are 19 cessation centers that blanket every New York State county. Our primary
mission is to aid practicing clinicians in the implementation of the Public Health Service (PHS)
Clinical Practice Guideline for Tobacco Use Cessation. We often work with hospitals, large
provider groups and physician offices to implement a systems change towards addressing
patient tobacco use at every clinical visit. All eight hospitals in our catchment area of
Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Allegany and Wyoming counties have agreed to implement the
PHS Clinical Practice Guidelines for Tobacco Use Cessation, to varying degrees. STHCS’
Tobacco Cessation Center also works with healthcare facilities to encourage the adoption of
smoke-free campus policies to address relapse prevention and any transient exposures to
second-hand smoke. A list of facilities our Center has assisted is included on the back of this
sheet.
The Cessation Center at STHCS has also contributed to helping a number of other area
agencies with their smoking cessation programs for employees, customers and visitors
through various educational programs and outreach activities. These programs have been
executed through partnerships with the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Strong
Ties Pharmacy Program (Rochester), The NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, the
American Academy of Respiratory Care, SUNY Upstate Medical University (Syracuse) and the
University of Buffalo’s School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine and Biological Sciences.
Continuing medical education credits have been offered to many health care providers during
these trainings. To date, over 300 health care providers, worksite wellness and human
resource personnel have been educated on various topics related to tobacco cessation.
Our Center continues to be a leader on state-wide initiatives as well. STHCS is the lead
sponsor of CME accreditation for our bi-monthly cessation education conference calls that are
available to practitioners across the state. Additionally, through an extended partnership with
the University of Buffalo we have created a performance improvement CME program that will
allow physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners receive 20 CME credit hours for
year-long participation in the program. A pilot study is currently under way with the STHCS
cessation center taking the lead. State-wide roll-out of the program began in October 2007.
Why do you smoke?
Before quitting, it is important to identify your reasons for smoking in the first place. Here are
some common reasons why people smoke:
- It picks me up, gives me a boost.
- I like it.
- It is part of my daily routine.
- I can't quit.
- Everyone around me smokes.
When do you smoke?
It is also imperative to identify causes, or triggers, for smoking. Common causes include:
- Other people around you are smoking
- Driving
- After eating
- Watching television
- Talking on the phone
- Stress at work or at home
- After sex
Why do you want to quit?
You have decided you want to quit - WHY? It is crucial to know exactly why you want to quit
smoking so you can remember why when you have the urge to smoke. Some common reasons
include:
- To save money
- For my health
- For my family's health
- So I can be in control of my life & my body
- To rid myself of the smell of cigarettes
- So I will not have yellow teeth
The Four D's
According to the website, www.lungusa.org, you can't avoid all your smoking triggers, but you
can resist them using the "Four D's."
- Drink water - it flushes the nicotine out of your system.
- Delay - wait a while and the urge to smoke may pass.
- Deep breathing - take five deep breaths and relax. This may cause your craving to go
away. - Do something else - spend more time with people who don't smoke, call a friend, go
shopping, chew gum or eat a light snack, exercise, sew, knit, go to the movies.....
What is your mindset?
It is hard to quit smoking and maintain a positive attitude. Become aware of your negative
mindset and change it!
- Instead of thinking: "I will never be able to quit!"
- Think: "I will be able to do this if I take things one day at a time. I know this will become
easier if I hang in there!" - Instead of thinking: "I love to sit around with a cigarette and a cup of coffee at lunch
time. I will never be able to give that up!" - Think: "Maybe my friends will go for a walk or have lunch with me. They will help me if I
tell them I need their support!"
Pick a Quit Day!
- Choose a day to quit smoking and DO NOT make excuses for procrastinating.
- Discard all of your cigarettes, lighters, matches and ashtrays.
- Inform all of your family and friends that you are quitting and ask for their support.
- Plan how to deal with your cravings before they hit. Use the "Four D's."
For more information about smoking cessation, please contact us by E-MAIL or call one of our
Cessation Coordinators at 372-0614.
Patrick O'Connell
pat@sthcs.org
Jamie Roulo
jamie@sthcs.org
Tobacco Cessation Center
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Click to read about Hospitals and Health Care Facilities STHCS' has assisted in becoming Smoke-Free! Olean Times Herald Feature Article: Tri-County Anti-Smoking Coalition looks to Reduce Number of Smokers...Click Here! |
