Loma Linda University News
July 27, 2000
- Center for Health Promotion helps clients to quit smoking
- Loma Linda University employee benefits fair prize winners
Center for Health Promotion helps clients to quit smoking
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Jennifer Walker, MPH, health educator, Center for Health Promotion, teaches the smoking cessation class for the Center. Pictured in the background, the anti-smoking campaign posters and slogans decorate her wall. Ms. Walker uses these posters and slogans to help teach her class. |
George M. George owns and operates Fresh Look Janitorial Services and had been a smoker for 26 years. He was smoking almost two packs a day, and it was not going to slow down any time soon.
He had his first child five years ago, and he decided to make it a point to never smoke around her. He kept his promise but at a price--he always smelled of smoke.
His young daughter had allergies and frequently was sick. Mr. George and his wife soon had another child, who also began to get sick.
Mr. George wanted to quit. He knew that he had to because he wanted to pay attention to the health of his children. Another motivation for quitting was the expense of smoking almost two packs a day. He made up his mind; he just had to quit smoking.
Mr. George, now 39 years of age, started smoking when he was 13 years old. Growing up in Lebanon, he began smoking because most of his friends were doing it.
He heard through his primary care physician about the smoking cessation program offered by the Center for Health Promotion on the campus of Loma Linda University.
He began the program, and knew it was the only answer for him to quit.
Linda L. Ball, RN, nurse educator and director of the smoking cessation program, Center for Health Promotion, has seen several people who have an addiction to smoking much like Mr. George. According to Ms. Ball, it is for these people that the Center for Health Promotion offers the smoking cessation class.
However, Ms. Ball, who conducts the initial interview of potential clients, is quick to point out that the smoking cessation class isn't a magic fix-it cure. The class participants must work hard to overcome the yearning to smoke.
"It is one of the most difficult groups to work with, not because of the people, but just because it is so hard to quit," informs Ms. Ball.
Once a client decides to try the smoking cessation class, he/she must complete a questionnaire that includes several important questions which will help decide whether the class will be beneficial to them or not.
One important question asked is whether the client has tried to quit smoking before.
"The more quit attempts they make, the higher their chance of success will be," explains Ms. Ball.
"Some people don't want to come back because they feel they have tried it and it didn't work for them, so why try again?"
Ms. Ball adds that it is very important for someone who wants to quit to keep trying, as it does get easier.
Once the decision is made that the program will be beneficial for the client, they attend the smoking cessation classes.
Jennifer Walker, MPH, health educator, Center for Health Promotion, teaches the smoking cessation classes.
"Most people who come to our classes started smoking at a very young age. This makes quitting that much harder," says
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George M. George has successfully quit smoking after completing the Center for Health Promotion's smoking cessation class at Loma Linda University. Mr. George decided to quit after his two children were born. |
Ms. Walker.
"I have met people who have cancer, and they still can't bring themselves to quit," she adds.
The classes are made up of four sessions. During the first session the clients become acquainted and share stories about how they started and how long they have been smoking.
According to Ms. Walker, another important topic they discuss the first night is what purpose smoking fulfills for them.
At the second class session, Ms. Walker and her clients discuss the health consequences of continued smoking.
"Some people can gain as much as eight pounds when they quit, but they eventually go back to their normal weight. Really, it's better to be a few pounds overweight than to smoke," suggests Ms. Walker.
During the third session, the class discusses stress management, and during the fourth night, they talk about how to maintain being smoke-free.
At the end of the class, Ms. Walker has each client write a letter to themselves detailing the benefits of not smoking.
Two months later, after the class has ended, Center for Health Promotion personnel mail the letters to the clients as a reminder to remain smoke-free.
Along with the letter, Ms. Walker also calls them a week after the class. Calls are also made one month later, and then three months, six months, and one year after the class.
Clients are encouraged to come back for more classes free of charge if they ever start to feel cravings again.
"The key for successful smoking cessation is positive interpersonal relationships," stresses Ms. Ball.
George M. George is a believer. He was able to quit smoking--and even talked his wife into quitting with him.
"The first week of the program was difficult, but the cravings subsided. Now I have no cravings and am a happier person," he announces.
Mr. George ate licorice and seeds to help offset the cravings from not smoking. He thinks it's important to find something else to take up your time so that you don't think about smoking.
"The program was very successful in that I felt extremely motivated to quit," responds Mr. George.
"I would recommend this program without any hesitation," he continues.
Mr. George is thankful to the program and Ms. Walker for helping him to quit. On a regular basis, he comes back to the Center for Health Promotion and speaks to the smoking cessation class, telling them his story.
"The program won't do it [make you quit] by itself--you must be committed and have the will power," says Mr. George.
"For people who do want to quit, it does help," he adds.
The next smoking cessation class begins on August 3, and is held Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost of the class is $60. For more information, call the Center for Health Promotion at (909) 558-4594.
Loma Linda University employee benefits fair prize winners
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Aguirre, Martin |
Student affairs |
Old Spaghetti Factory |
| On Thursday, June 29, LLU held its annual Employee Benefits Fair on the lawn between Prince and Magan Halls. During the fair, employees learned about their benefits and were given information about services offered by local vendors. |  |
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At the risk management booth, Harold Curtis, loss/safety representative, plays a game with employees to review safety information and procedures. |
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Don Sease, director of marketing and events, Drayson Center (right), was present to distribute information explaining the facility's many services. |
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Don Gwin, senior human resources management assistant, employee benefits, announces a winner drawn from cards submitted by LLU employees. The winners' names were written on a poster and displayed throughout the day. |
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