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

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.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 5:44 PM Brian wrote ...

Everone get a Jill class before you die of cancer of the lungs. It is so wonderful to hear reports of people who were helped and heal about this terrible desease. So, please everyone get Jills on your agenda and start right away before it is too late.

Friday, Nov 21 at 7:30 AM ExSmoker wrote ...

Jill's class provided me with the tools I needed to quit. I smoked for 40 years and tried to quit many times before without success. Jill gave me tools to use when the urge came back for a smoke like breathing in and out real deeply for a few minutes until the urge left. I went to all her classes and they helped me look at my smoking for what it really was, a crutch something that I thought was my best friend but in fact it wasn't. I had no intentions of quiting but I did it! Thanks Jill! THANKS

Thursday, Nov 20 at 5:25 PM Charlene Storm wrote ...

Jills class?? what a joke. This class does not show the real deal. The holes, I mean dark holes coming through your lungs before you get the cancer thing. Be real and show the whole thing. Only doctors can tell you how bad the lungs gets before you are unable to breath and the worst part of it you cant sleep either. You keep coughing and coughing all night. Your wife doesnt want to hear your snoring so, she moves to the room upstairs and you are alone with your coughing. We want be healthy and w

Thursday, Nov 20 at 5:24 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The government needs to spend all that money they got to help people stop smoking and hand out that medicine that help people stop smoking. Maybe those that are so against smoking should have a fundraiser for us smokers and buy the medication for us? If it wasn't for us smokers Ford would not have known the Pinto was a bomb on wheels! =)

Thursday, Nov 20 at 4:38 PM Wha? wrote ...

Look, just because some of us are hard on smokers is no reason to tear into us. I thought we left that kind of hating back in the 80's. And I doubt we're the only ones burning the occasional leaf, so just back off, ok?

Thursday, Nov 20 at 4:05 PM Observer wrote ...

Let me guess: All you people that are so hard on smokers probably burn your leaves right? That has more harm to more people than cigarette smoke. So before you start knocking everyone that smokes, make sure your actions are pure.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 4:02 PM joe wrote ...

whats 9s mean

Thursday, Nov 20 at 3:56 PM Big tobacco wrote ...

It took Norm Avers to figure out that we have been working with top shelf liquor companies all along? Come on people smoke up and put away the nattie ice...get your self a bottle of Macallen 1926

Thursday, Nov 20 at 3:54 PM Aunt Jeffrey wrote ...

Ralph you are just typical of the small minded short sighted people who allow smokers to walk freely among us. You think it doesnt affect you? Really?? Any idea how much these leeches add to our health insurance costs, how many tax dollars are wasted caring for them, how many of them end up on disability cos they're too broken to work?? Think before you spout off with your liberal rubbish. Smoking needs to be outlawed, period.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 2:55 PM Ralph wrote ...

I do not smoke BUT what others do is their own business. If NONSMOKERS spent as much time and energy doing productive work they would be rich instead of just OBNOXIOUS!!!!

Thursday, Nov 20 at 2:41 PM Katie wrote ...

What are you people really smokin ?

Thursday, Nov 20 at 2:19 PM Jim McStubbins wrote ...

I truly despise smoking, with a passion that almost eclipses my love of cauliflower. Theres a guy at our work, who just coughs and wheezes all day long. Winter is worst, he gets a cough and next thing he's coughing up pounds of thick phlegm. One time it got so bad he hurled in bathroom, thing is that tarry phlegm just dont flush. Hate to admit it but I was touch cloth just after and was forced to use the urinal. Thats the kind of thing smoking does. Wrecks lives and bathrooms.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 2:13 PM Fred Williams wrote ...

I used to be a 2 pack a day man, thought all them antismoking folks were nothing but a bunch of stone ducks crapping outta the ball park. Well, back in 89 I lost a lung in a badminton accident, and had to quit. I feel full of 9's and spaghetti now! If you smoke, get off that ladder truck and start pulling the donkey's tail till it kicks you!

Thursday, Nov 20 at 1:42 PM ExSmoker wrote ...

I went to Jill's class and had no plans on quiting but guess what I did quit! It has been 1.5 years and I have no desire to go back to it. It was hard but only for a few months. I gained weight but its coming off now. The best part is that I can take a deep breath without choking and I am so liberated! No more do I have to figure out when I can sneek away for a smoke! Life is good and that is after 40 years of smoking! THANK YOU JILL!

Thursday, Nov 20 at 1:10 PM Fay Ghot wrote ...

Im with ya norm, all the way! Sickens me right to the colon that these cigarette companies come into our bars and shove this smoking in our lungs just so we buy TOP SHELF (yeah, you read that right!) top shelf lickers. Cos of smokin I had to drink a johnnie walker blue label and it costed more than a case of beer! Bar tender had me turn ma pockets out, took my license and stuff as clatteral. Tasted pretty good mind. So I'm quitting RIGHT NOW and never goin back, no sir, not that way.

Thursday, Nov 20 at 12:47 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

Well, looks like I'm being restricted again. I wonder which one it was that caused 5 to be censored?

Thursday, Nov 20 at 12:45 PM Chad wrote ...

norm, your posting makes absolutely no sense. If they smoke in the bar you go to, then don't go. It is that easy!

Thursday, Nov 20 at 10:57 AM Norm Avers wrote ...

I want to quit smoking. I dont want my lung look like an old rug like in the picture. But I cant help with those smokers that love to blow their smoke on my face. Like in all bars that I went to it is like a cave full of smoke and everybody seems to be fine until some start coughing so hard and even the bar tender dont care. they only look at the money you got and asks for more. Do you want to switch to something strong now? They want us to drink expensive vodka and wiskies of all kinds while sm

Thursday, Nov 20 at 10:46 AM Cornfusion wrote ...

I know how to stuff a hot dog in my mouth but how do they get a pig to stuff a cigarette in his?

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