Ready to Quit Tobacco in 2007?

Smoking is not just a habit, it's also an addiction. Smoking is difficult to quit because of the complex nature of tobacco dependence. However, the right mix of support, planning, and, in some instances, medication, can help you quit for good, regardless of how many times you've tried to quit in the past.

At UPMC Health Plan, we are prepared to help you do what you have to do in order to quit smoking. That's why we have created the following aids to quitting:

MyHealth Ready to Quit: Free telephone counseling is available for members. Health coaches are ready to answer your questions, offer support, and guide you through the quitting process. Together, you and your health coach can create a personalized quit plan that makes sense for you. Call 1-800-507-0751.

MyHealth OnLine: In conjunction with WebMD^®, members have access to an interactive online program designed to support "quit" attempts.

Journey to a Smoke-Free Life: This self-help guide was written by experts at UPMC and can be downloaded here.

UPMC Health Plan makes available a smoking cessation medication rider that employers can choose to offer to their employees. The rider covers six different types of pharmaceutical products - patch, gum, lozenges, nasal spray, inhaler, and tablets - that can help smokers feel more comfortable while they adjust to life without cigarettes.

Five Good Reasons to Quit

You will be healthier for the rest of your life.
Quitting will lower your chance of having a heart attack, stroke, emphysema, or cancer.
If you are pregnant, quitting smoking will improve your chances of having a healthy baby.
The people you live with, especially your children, will be healthier because they will no longer be exposed to second-hand smoke.
You will have more energy, fresher breath, and better senses of smell and taste.

(Source: Surgeongeneral.gov)