Smoking Cessation Education & Resources

  Health Benefits of Quitting
 

At 20 minutes after quitting:

  • blood pressure decreases
  • pulse rate drops
  • body temperature of hands and feet increases

At 8 hours:

  • carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
  • oxygen level in blood increases to normal
    At 24 hours:
  • chance of a heart attack decreases

At 48 hours:

  • nerve endings start regrowing
  • ability to smell and taste is enhanced
  The first year after quitting
 

At 2 weeks to 3 months:

  • circulation improves
  • walking becomes easier
  • lung function increases

1 to 9 months:

  • coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decreases

1 year:

  • excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker
  Long-term Benefits of Quitting
 

At 5 years:

  • from 5 to 15 years after quitting, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.

At 10 years:

  • risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that of continuing smokers
  • risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases
  • risk of ulcer decreases

At 15 years:

  • risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that of people who have never smoked
    risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked

Source: American Lung Association

The University of Iowa is committed to providing a healthy and supportive environment for faculty, staff and students.  Smoking is a significant health risk in America today – both for smokers and non-smokers alike.  There are many benefits to quitting smoking, both from a personal health perspective and a financial standpoint.  To calculate your personal savings if you quit smoking, see the Quitline Iowa website.

Smoking Cessation Services

Smoking is a challenging behavior to change.  Individuals who smoke and wish to quit may need some additional help and support.  The following resources are available to students, faculty, and staff.

Services for Students

Health Iowa/Student Health Service (SHS) – 335-8394. Health Iowa offers a variety of resources to help students quit tobacco use.  Free one-on-one consultations are available for students to receive information on quit aids, overcoming barriers, behavior modification, relapse and coupons for over-the-counter Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT).  Physicians are also available to discuss medications and provide prescriptions which can be conveniently filled at Westlawn Pharmacy.  For more information, see the Health Iowa website.

Services for Faculty and Staff

The liveWELL program in UI Wellness and UI Benefits - www.uiowa.edu/livewell
Free one-on-one Health Coach service to assist in tobacco cessation and other lifestyle improvement areas. When working in conjunction with a health coach, UI employees can receive reimbursement for receipts totaling up to $300 for Nicotine Replacement Therapy or other smoking cessation medications.

The first step to getting started with a health coach is to take the liveWELL Health Risk Assessment from your Self Service website. For further information on the liveWELL program, visit www.uiowa.edu/livewell/ or call 353-2973.

Rehabilitation Therapies Smoking Cessation Clinic – 356-2663
One-on-one cessation counseling for employees, up to four sessions. liveWELL Health Coach clients can attend the Rehabilitation Therapies Smoking Cessation Clinic for a reduced fee; the University will pay for 75% of this program with a referral from a Health Coach.

University Employee Health Clinic – 356-3631
Free one-on-one cessation counseling for employees, up to four sessions.

Smoking Cessation Group Clinic – UIHC Pharmaceutical Care – 356-8795
A free smoking cessation clinic facilitated by pharmacists to assist individuals in stopping smoking. The clinic is provided in a group setting, allowing individuals to have the support of their peers as part of their cessation efforts. The group meets four times over a four-week time period. Topics discussed within the group include selecting the right medication aid, setting a quit date, dealing with withdrawal, avoiding triggers, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise.  For more information, call 356-8795.

Quitline Iowa – 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
Free phone-based cessation counseling for all Iowans, available on the following schedule:

www.quitlineiowa.org

Monday-Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - midnight
Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday - 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Services available in English and Spanish, TDD 1-866-822-2857.

Cancer Information Service – 1-800-237-1225 or 356-3000. Free information, resources, and brochures.