Health

Get motivated to quit smoking this year

Posted: Jan 3, 2013 8:03 PM by Beth Beechie - MTN News

GREAT FALLS - The Montana Quit Line says a new year means more callers trying to kick the smoking habit.

Quitting smoking, right behind weight loss, is a common resolution as the new year rolls around.

Teddy Nault, a tobacco use prevention specialist at the city-county health department, remembers trying to pick up smoking as an impressionable 15-year-old on the farm.

"I'm getting on the horses every day rounding cattle up, fixing fence posts and I'm trying to roll the cigarettes. And the tobacco is going this way and the papers are going that way. I didn't smoke too much," he said, and laughed, "I was happy."

Nault's lack of coordination during his teen years may have saved his life. Now it's his job to help others quit whether they've smoked for decades or months.

But he tells everyone the fight to quit is a tough battle.

"Tobacco addiction is the strongest addiction known to man," he said.

Nault's seen many people who say they just couldn't quit their habit. But what tries to figure out is how and why their method or methods they've used before didn't work.

"Well, how did you try to quit? Did you have support systems? Did you only use this method? Because there are so many methods out there for individuals that are tailored that way."

He says it's hard not to suggest people try the Montana Quit Line. It's a free five-week program that offers professional support from addiction specialists, doctors and nurses.

Nault also says creating a support system around you by involving your doctor and or family is a helpful way to kick the habit for good. It never hurts to explore any healthy method to quit.

"Whatever gets them through that addiction would be great."

The former cowboy says even if you slip up and go back to smoking, you just have to get right back up on the horse and commit to quit again.

The Cascade City County Health Department reminds people that anytime of the year is a good time to quit smoking..

The Quit line can be reached at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-800-784-8669.