Free Nicotine Patches

To support North Carolina State Health Plan members affected by the Jan. 1 smoking ban in North Carolina government buildings and facilities, the State Health Plan is offering free over-the-counter generic nicotine patches to members.

To receive free nicotine patches, members must receive counseling from their health care provider or take advantage of free tobacco cessation support services available through the NC Quitline. The State Health Plan offers this support to all members who want to quit smoking or quit using smokeless tobacco.

"Research shows that counseling, combined with medication, increases the likelihood that an individual will stop smoking," says Sherry Hay, director of integrated health management for the State Health Plan.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, accounting for approximately one of every five deaths each year. In 2006, according to the North Carolina Center for Health Statistics, there were more than 1.5 million (22.7 percent) adult smokers in North Carolina, which is higher than the national average of 20.1 percent.

Smoking cessation has major and immediate benefits for smokers of all ages, according to the CDC. Within 20 minutes of a smokers' last cigarette, the body begins a series of positive health changes that continue for years. After one year of quitting cigarettes, the excess risk of heart disease caused by smoking is reduced by about one-half. In five to 15 years, the risk of stroke for former smokers returns to the level of those who have never smoked.

Due to the significant health benefits of tobacco cessation, the State Health Plan provides resources to encourage members to quit smoking. For more information, visit the State Health Plan Web site. Contact the NC Quitline by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Breathe LIFE

Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Services has developed a four-week smoking cessation program to offer support, guidance, strength, and direction to those who are interested in improving their lives by discontinuing their use of tobacco products. The program, which costs $99, involves psycho-educational training, supportive face-to-face and telephonic psychotherapy, electronic coaching, and referrals to helpful resources. Smokers can work together with a Deer Oaks counselor to address the behavioral, psychological, emotional, relational, and social components to their smoking behavior. For more information, visit the Deer Oaks Web site. Web site login "username" is FASAP. Web site login "password" is FASAP.