Help make our campuses smoke-free

Did you know that smokers who receive advice to quit from a health care provider are 50 percent more likely to try to quit smoking than smokers who do not receive counseling?

That is good news, because, effective July 1, 2007, smoking is prohibited on all UPMC owned and leased properties and grounds, including parking areas.

Health care providers can take steps to help their patients and co-workers make the adjustment to a smoke-free life. When talking to someone who smokes, remember these important steps: ask, advise, assess, and refer.

Ask	"Do you smoke?"
Advise	"As your health care provider, I want you to know that one of the most important things you can do to improve your health is to stop smoking."
Assess	"Are you willing to consider quitting at this time?"
Refer	"I can refer you to resources, including medication and counseling, to help you stop smoking."

UPMC Health Plan’s MyHealth program offers a variety of treatment options and services, including:

MyHealth Ready to Quit groups for all UPMC employees and their adult dependents.
MyHealth Ready to Quit Line for all UPMC employees and their adult dependents (call 1-800-807-0751).
From June 1 to September 30, 2007, the copayment for smoking cessation products will be waived for UPMC employees who are UPMC Health Plan members. Six types of products may reduce the discomfort often experienced in the early stages of the quitting process.
The Journey to a Smoke-free Life self-guided workbook can be downloaded at upmchealthplan.com.
The Ready, Set, Stop! Online tool for all UPMC Health Plan members is available at upmchealthplan.com. (Log in to MyHealth OnLine to access this tool.)

Relevance	Tailor advice and discussion to each person.
Risks	Outline the risks of continued smoking.
Rewards	Outline the benefits of quitting.
Roadblocks	Identify barriers to quitting.
Repetition	Repeat messages at every visit.