Busting the Habit

Project Smokebusters is a three-year program sponsored by the Northeast Missouri Cancer Control Coalition. Smokebusters’ mission is promoting healthy tobacco-free environments by the elimination of secondhand smoke exposure and the reduction of youth initiation of tobacco use through environmental policy change. Smokebusters focuses on helping youth build skills in the areas of decision-making, problem solving, and advocacy. These skills are the foundation for developing self-esteem and help youth take responsibility for their own health and for the health of their communities.

The Project Smokebusters program has been instrumental in transforming youth into effective environmental policy advocates. This program helps youth take ownership of tobacco prevention and environmental issues within their community and state. It accomplishes this by training the same basic group of youth for three consecutive years. This three-phase approach assists schools and community organizations in helping to affect policy change in Missouri schools and communities for tobacco use prevention and smoke free environments.

Five keys for quitting smoking:

1. Get ready.

2. Get support.

3. Learn new skills and behaviors.

4. Get medication and use it correctly.

5. Be prepared for relapase or difficult situations.

Here are some others tips for quitting:
- Change your environment: get rid of all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work.
- Don’t let people smoke around you. Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have support from others.
- Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, or go for a walk. Drink a lot of water and other fluids.
- Medications can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke. For example, Nicotine gum, or the patch.
- Most relapses occur within the first three months after quitting. Don’t be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit.
- Drinking alcohol lowers your chances of success. Being around smoking can make you want to smoke. There are a lot of ways to improve your mood other than smoking.