It’s no secret that smoking is bad for you; but, did you know that, if
you smoke and your kids get influenza, your children are twice as
likely to be hospitalized than if you did not smoke?
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Most patients who know me know that I work hard at getting smokers to
quit. Most of my patients are hard workers and I rely on their work ethic
to help them quit. I recommend that they hire themselves to do a not so
simple job. Their job is to not have a cigarette today. I advise that they
use the same tools they use in their everyday jobs. I explain that they go
to their 9 to 5 job to make a living and that they go to their not smoking
job to stay living. Just in any job, I expect my patients to make mistakes.
A mistake is simply picking up or lighting a cigarette. As in any job you
expect to be successful at, the first thing you do when you make a
mistake is correct it. The next step is to learn from your mistake. Ask,
why did I pick it up? What am I going to do the next time I’m frustrated,
lonely, and angry or just craving a smoke? With time, most people master
this job.
Sometimes, my patients need to be given tools to help them succeed in
their job. I prescribe Chantix, Committ, nicotine patches, gum, bupropion
and other aides. Sometimes, I use guilt. Having your child admitted to
the hospital because you needed a smoke should suffice.
Remember, the life you save may be yours or your child's.
Dr. Segal blogs at www.livewellthy.org and is the co-author of Diets and Other Unnatural Acts.