Smoking laws are working, say officials
By ANGIE JOHANNSEN, News-Tribune Editor
Public health says numbers up for those wanting to quit
Breathing a healthier sigh of relief over new smoking laws in Iowa, Public Health officials say the numbers prove the laws are working.
“We're seeing an increase in the number of people wanting help in quitting,” said Kelly Hutcheson, of the Hancock County Public Health Department.
Hutcheson serves as the Tobacco Education Coordinator. She says the number of people calling the Quit-Line and coming in to her office is growing every month.
The state passed an anti-smoking law which went into effect July 1. The law bans smoking in most workplaces and public spaces, except for the gaming floor in casinos and some other exemptions. The law has been steeped in controversy with many bar and restaurant owners still fighting the state over what they call an unfair policy.
Individuals who violate the smoking law face a $50 fine. The fines for businesses are steeper, with a $100 fine for the first violation, $200 for the second violation within a year and $500 for the third within a year. The state also raised its cigarette tax $1, bringing the total to $1.36 per pack in March 2007.
Hutcheson announced last week that Iowa has seen a 22 percent decline in the adult smoking rate over the past two years. The Adult Tobacco Survey showed that there are 79,000 fewer smokers in the state now than in 2006. This is one of the largest drops in smoking that any state has ever seen.
Hutcheson said people can come to her office for one-on-one help in quitting tobacco use.
She has taken classes on the topic at Mayo Clinic, and has several strategies for helping people.
“We work with local physicians to make sure we are coming up with the best plan for someone,” Hutcheson said.
“It takes a professional, sometimes, to help figure out what works for someone and what we can do to help.
“We also offer group classes, and just any support we can.”
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 400 Iowans die each year from second-hand smoke. Experts say just 18 percent of Iowans smoke, and of those, 70 percent say they want to quit.
The tobacco survey demonstrates that action taken by local partnerships funded by IDPH, like Hancock County Public Health Services, have a huge impact in changing attitudes about tobacco use. While the state funds large initiatives like Just Eliminate Lies (JEL) and Quitline Iowa, the local level is where change really happens.
Hutcheson support is growing in the area to encourage people to quit smoking or not start at all. Besides the JEL program, a new interest has begun with younger students. A junior high program is now getting pre-teens to become anti-smoking advocates and strong role models for their peers.
Hutcheson said she would like to see more money from a tobacco settlement the state received go toward prevention services.
“A lot of times, the money from the settlement goes to roads,” said Hutcheson. “We need to take care of the smoking issues first.”
Hutcheson worries about the health of smokers and the people who are subjected to second-hand smoke.
“A lot of people have health problems due to smoking, and there's a lot we could do,” she said.
The IDPH said 57 percent of former smokers cited health as their reason for quitting. Also, 54 percent of current smokers said they wanted to quit for health reasons, while 19 percent indicated smoking was becoming too expensive of a habit.
The survey, conducted every two years by the University of Northern Iowa, shows that 84 percent of smokers plan to quit, with 59 percent planning to quit in the next six months. The full report will be available on the IDPH Web site in February.
Hancock County Public Health Services offers individual and group help to quit smoking. Please call 641-923-3676 for more information.
Until the end of January, anyone who would like to quit smoking can contact Quitline Iowa (1-800-QUIT-NOW) and receive four-weeks of free nicotine patches or gum. Individuals who use medication like nicotine patches and gum can more than double the chances of quitting successfully.
Enrolling in counseling can increase this even further.
Hutcheson encourages smokers to take the first step in stopping smoking.
Talking to a health care provider, trying one of several new anti-smoking drugs on the market, or using a different technique can all bring different results for different people.
She said several businesses in the area also work with her office in offering smoking cessation programs for their employees.
“Remember, each person is different,” Hutcheson said. “A lot of times it takes several attempts to quit.
“It's pretty common for people to relapse, we just don't want them to give up.”
Story created Jan 13, 2009 - 12:54:02 CST.
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