WCH Tobacco Cessation

Smoking Cessation Help

According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths in the US alone and approximately 8.6 million Americans suffer from smoking-related lung and heart disease.

Let us help you quit.

The tobacco cessation staff at Wooster Community Hospital is friendly and knowledgeable in addressing the five keys to quitting: preparation, support, and encouragement, learning new skills and behaviors, obtaining and using medications correctly, and being prepared for relapse or difficult situations.

What we provide:

• One-on-one weekly 30-minute counseling sessions with a respiratory therapist
• Education about the various nicotine replacement therapies and medications, and alternative methods used for cessation
• Guidance and support; plus, we will contact your physician to obtain any required prescriptions for medications related to cessation

Insurance is accepted for this six-week program. Please check with your provider about whether your plan covers tobacco cessation programs.

Health Benefits of Quitting

Once you have quit tobacco, a series of changes occur in the body. These include:

After quitting smoking

• 20 minutes after quitting, the heart rate and blood pressure decrease
• 1 – 9 months after quitting, coughing, congestion, and shortness of breath decrease
• 5 – 15 years after quitting, risk of stroke decreases to that of a nonsmoker
• 10 years after quitting, risk of lung cancer and coronary artery disease drops to half of that of a current smoker

After quitting smokeless tobacco

• Risk of oral and other cancers is reduced
• Bad breath decreases
• Further bone loss, gum recession, and/or tooth decay is prevented
• Mouth sores are able to heal and are less likely to become cancerous

For more information about the tobacco cessation program at Wooster Community Hospital, call (330) 263-8329.