As part of Danville Regional Medical Center’s switch to a tobacco-free campus, the hospital encouraged residents to quit smoking Thursday.
Danville Regional distributed smoking cessation kits and information in conjunction with the American Cancer Society’s 36th Annual “Great American Smoke Out,” when smokers are encouraged to make a plan to quit. Starting Thursday, Danville Regional will not allow tobacco use near its entrances or anywhere on its grounds.
One in four adults in Danville report smoking, according to the County Health Rankings. Tobacco use accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.
Robert Gillison, of Danville, stopped by and told respiratory therapists, “I want to quit tobacco.”
At age 48 with more than 20 years of smoking, Gillison would like to ensure the rest of his life is healthy. Plus, cigarettes cost him too much money.
He’s tried numerous things to quit before, but now he’ll try to attend Danville Regional’s free smoking cessation classes.
“Everybody needs to quit,” he said. “You’ll save more and you’ll live longer.”
Erica Scales, of Ringgold, has been smoking more than 15 years and failed to quit in the past. It’s always on her mind to quit, but she admits it’s hard.
She hates having to schedule around or accommodate for her cigarette smoking, and smokes outside to keep it away from her kids.
“I have a real strong need to quit,” Scales said. “ … Because I feel like eventually it’s going to damage my lungs, affect my health.”
Danville Regional staff handed out more than 150 smoking cessation kits Wednesday and Thursday, said Heather Kalill, clinical manager of respiratory care.
The next smoking cessation six-week course (one night per week) starts in January. For information or to register, call (434) 799-3806.
For more information on quitting smoking, call 1 (800) QUIT-NOW or visit http://www.smokefree.gov.
