By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA
The Great American Smokeout Twitter Chat presented by Sharecare was ongoing spirited conversation for five hours filled with valuable information. The Hashtag #quitforgood led the chat. Every third Thursday in November The American Cancer Society marks the Great American Smokeout.
First, thank you to all the participants. Thank you to all the smokers who were involved in the conversation. Whether you recently quit smoking, were looking for information on how to quit smoking or you just wanted to quit for that one day, thank you. The American Cancer Society states, “By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.”
Secondly, below, please find a very small sample of Tweets from Otis Brawley, MD-American Cancer Society, CDC, Mount Sinai Hospital, and myself Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA, Editorial Advisory Board/Health Educator at Sharecare. For a complete list of the health experts who contributed, please click here.
Otis Brawley, MD, Chief Medical Officer for the
American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society-Otis Brawley
- #quitforgood nicotine is more addictive than cocaine. Do not risk the addiction
- #quitforgood nicotine is as addictive as cocaine even 2 cig/day can also cause lung disease
- #quitforgood 2nd hand smoke in childhood causes crib death, asthma, bronchitis and later can lead to lung cancer
- #quitforgood Smokers should know risks and benefits of lung screening. There are risks. Make an informed decision.
- #quitforgood flavored tobacco, menthol especially has been used to lure folks into smoking. Nicotine is then the handcuff of addiction
- #quitforgood It is far easier for light to moderate smokers to quit. Heavy smokers need help from addiction specialists.
- #quitforgood no data show ecigs help smokers quit.
Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA, Health Educator, Editorial Advisory Board for Sharecare @BarbaraFicarra
Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA
- Delighted 2 join #quitforgood @OtisBrawley @AmericanCancer @CDCgov @DrFriedenCDC @Sharecarenow @HopkinsMedicine @MountSinaiNYC @RMillerMD
- Each year about 443,000 people die prematurely fr smoking or exposure 2 secondhand smoke #quitforgood
- Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in the US #quitforgood
- It’s never too late to quit, but the sooner the better. You can do it! #quitforgood
- Prevention is key-Must focus on preventing tobacco use among youth! #quitforgood
- Per CDC Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body… #quitforgood
- The cigarette industry spends billions ea year on advertising/promotions #quitforgood
- When smokers quit, the risk for a heart attack drops sharply after just 1 year #quitforgood
- When smokers quit, risk for dying of lung cancer drops by half after 10 years #quitforgood
- Quitting gives your body a chance to heal the damage caused by smoking #quitforgood
- Do you want to quit? Write down the reasons-Acknowledge-Take action! You can do it! @Sharecarenow Guide http://bit.ly/18Td1xo #quitforgood
- There’s a smoking quitline 1-800-QUIT-NOW 1-800-784-8669 #quitforgood
- Be empowered and take charge of your health! You can do it! #quitforgood
CDC Tobacco Free
CDC Tobacco Free
- For most, it takes several attempts before succeeding at quitting smoking, but don’t give up trying to #QuitForGood.
- More than 1/2 of Americans who have ever smoked have already quit & 70% of current smokers say they want to quit. You can #QuitForGood.
- Tobacco smoke is a toxic mix of over 7,000 chemicals & compounds. Inhaling it causes short & long-term damage. #QuitForGood
- Make a list of reasons for quitting. Keep handy & read it when you get the urge to smoke. #QuitForGood
- The younger kids begin smoking, more likely to become addicted. Quit now, or better yet- don’t start. #QuitForGood
- Tobacco smoke is a toxic mix of over 7,000 chemicals & compounds. Inhaling it causes short & long-term damage. #QuitForGood
- Call quitline & speak to smoking cessation counselor who can provide advice, support, & help you make a plan. #QuitForGood
- #Smokers are 2-4x more likely than nonsmokers to develop heart disease. Be heart-healthy & #QuitForGood
Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital
- It ages your face. Makes your teeth yellow & effects your entire body. #quitforgood
- Ask to create smoke free environments at work & public places. Heart attacks decrease as soon as these bans are in place #quitforgood
- Even if you’re not a smoker, you can still be at risk for #LungCancer. Assess your risk at http://bit.ly/1ekoL0q @DrOz #quitforgood
- The sooner you #QuitSmoking, the sooner your #HeartDisease risk will decline! Learn tips from Dr Myerson http://bit.ly/1fnI0sW #quitforgood
- Even if you’re not a smoker, you can still be at risk for #LungCancer. Assess your risk at http://bit.ly/1ekoL0q @DrOz #quitforgood
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Lastly, I’ve never been a smoker so I can’t imagine what you’re going through. It must be very hard to quit. However, According the American Cancer Society, “research shows that smokers are most successful in kicking the habit when they have support.”
Know there are professionals out there who can help you if you need it. Once you choose to quit, carry on. Be empowered. Be in charge of your health. You can do it! I wish you all the best.
Your turn
Are you a smoker? Did you participate in The Great American Smokeout Twitter Chat? What tips do you have to quit? Please share them in the comment section below. As always thank you for your very valuable time.
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