Great American Smokeout: Free help makes it easier to quit smoking

by Megan Baldino (mbaldino@wsbt.com)

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One table shows two pig lungs - one healthy and one damaged by the effects of smoking.

The Great American Smokeout took place at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center on Thursday, November 20, 2008. One table showed two pig lungs — one healthy and one damaged by the effects of smoking. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Nov 20, 2008 at 9:30 AM EST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 11:14 AM EST

SOUTH BEND — Thinking about quitting smoking? Today's your day:
The Great American Smokeout.

The idea is to urge people to quit for one day, in hopes that it will get smokers to quit for good.

Jill Sabo, tobacco education coordinator for Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, knows it's possible.

"I'm an ex-smoker," she said, "and so it makes it easier to work with people when I do the 'Freedom from Smoking' classes, because I know what I'm asking people to do and I also know it's completely possible to quit."

She also knows it's tough.

"It's not easy at all. It's not. There are lots of things you can do — nicotine replacement is something I highly recommend," said Sabo.

Thursday she spent all day at the event, which took place at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, sharing information with anyone interested in quitting.

Sabo said smokers can come in and trade in a pack of their cigarettes for free coupons.

Sabo will head up a Freedom from Smoking class in January and February which is free to the public.

Eva Kourlas works at the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center Cancer Institute, and says she sees smokers diagnosed with lung cancer frequently.

"Well, obviously they're guilty and they feel a lot of guilt for having smoked, but there are also a lot of patients who haven't smoked," said Kourlas.

For more information on the Freedom from Smoking classes contact Jill Sabo at 574-239-5298.

For more information on the lung cancer support group contact Eva Kourlas at 574-472-6995.

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