FMC Gears Up For Great American Smokeout On Nov. 19
November 19 marks the first anniversary of Floyd campuses becoming tobacco-free zones, and it’s also the annual observation of the Great American Smokeout. This day is set aside to encourage tobacco-users to go just one day without using tobacco— an important first step that could be the beginning of life as an ex-tobacco user.
Over the past year, Floyd Medical Center’s Employee Health and Wellness Department has helped 35 employees successfully quit smoking and another 44 decrease their tobacco use.
Now, Floyd Medical Center (FMC) is reaching out to help current smokers and smokeless tobacco users in the community end their addiction to nicotine.
FMC is hosting a free lunch-and-learn for current tobacco-users who are interested in learning about the community resources available to help them kick the habit.
“Every year more than 10,000 Georgians die of tobacco-related illnesses, and in Floyd County, 27.6 percent of our citizens are tobacco-users,” said Dr. Saria Carter Saccocio, associate director of the Floyd Family Medicine Residency program. “It used to be that we, as doctors, had no way to help our patients stop using tobacco. The only advice we could offer was, ‘hang in there’. Today, we can offer so much more, including counseling and medication to help.”
She added that study after study shows that nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes and other tobacco products, is actually more addictive than heroin. This helps explain why quitting is so difficult for so many tobacco users.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death.
“We at Floyd are enthusiastic about this opportunity. We want to lead our community by example,” Saccocio said.
For more information about smoking cessation resources, or to register to attend the lunch-and-learn session, contact the Floyd HealthLine at (706) 509-3250 or 1-800-677-1536.
