SIERRA VISTA - As part of its Tobacco Education and Prevention Progam, Arizona Department of Health Services held two forums in Cochise County Tuesday, one in Douglas and one in Sierra Vista.
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Though no members of the general public showed up at either meeting, health professionals did discuss issues during the Sierra Vista meeting.
Similar forums, 32 altogether, are being held throughout the state.
It's an effort to give communities an opportunity to share their opinions about how the state could better serve the public when it comes to such tobacco-related issues as tobacco cessation, preventing initial tobacco use and secondhand smoke.
Kathy Archer, the community health nurse for Fort Huachuca, addressed the effectiveness of Chantex, a tobacco cessation medication. People who take the medication are experiencing a high smoking cessation success rate, she said.
"Six months is the recommended duration for successful smoking cessation," Archer said of the medication.
When people come in to see Archer about cessation, she is able to provide them the medication for six months.
Cochise County health educator Renee Bizzak spoke about Chantex and its positive track record when it comes to helping smokers kick the habit.
Unlike Fort Huachuca's program, Bizzak is authorized to give one month's supply of Chantex, which she says is not giving potential quitters enough help.
"I don't think we're doing enough to help our smokers quit," she said.
"We need to look at each person as an individual, and treat them accordingly. Give them the medication they need to be a successful quitter."
In addition to making Chantex more available, Bizzak believes community health programs need to address underlying emotional problems smokers might have.
If the person needs antidepressants, she argued, then give that person the counseling and medications needed to successfully address those underlying problems that could help the person quit smoking.
Teaching kids the dangers of smoking at an early age is a recommendation posed by Sally White, director of Willcox Against Substance Abuse.
For any prevention or cessation program to be successful, community commitment must be 100 percent at all levels, said Librado Ramirez, executive director of Southeastern Arizona Community Action Program.
"We need to be in the schools and churches," Ramirez said.
"You have to go where the youth are and make yourself available. We're now losing these kids at a very young age because the majority of the money is not going toward the areas that need it the most."
In order to have effective prevention programs that will directly influence kids, health educators need to reach out to youth mentors such as teachers, coaches and scout leaders, Ramirez added.
"Any gatherings where youth are present, we need to be available," he said. "You need to go where the kids congregrate and have a strong presence if you want to be effective."
Other recommendations included talking to doctors and medical offices about the kinds of cessation tools that are available for the public in order to get the tobacco cessation message out. Bizzak said to make sure doctors have prescription pads for medications such as Chantex and that they use them.
When asked about positive experiences when it comes to services associated with a government agency, White had words of praise for Project BUTT, the Beneficial Use of Tobacco Taxes, calling it a "wonderful program that really makes a difference."
Project BUTT is a local comprehensive prevention, education and cessation program that addresses tobacco use and the impact it has on health.
In existence for about eight years now, the program works to reduce tobacco use and involuntary exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
Zischke asked participants what they would like to see in place to make tobacco prevention a positive experience in their communities.
The group offered a number of recommendations. Topping the list was consistency - the need to follow through with a program once it's started.
"I think we need to fund local agencies so work can continue, even if you need to change sponsors," Ramirez said.
Working more collaboratively at all levels to help accomplish cessation goals was another recommendation. As part of that integrated approach, making Chantex available for all those who want to quit smoking was a strong recommendation made by the group.
Hoping to have a strategic plan in place by January, state health officials will be compiling the recommendations from all 32 forums throughout Arizona and will be using that input when formulating its plan.
"As a tobacco health educator, I like having the opportunity to provide input for something like this," Bizzak said.
"It's refreshing to be around people who are passionate about smoking cessation."
In addition to attending the forums, the public is invited to read more about the statewide planning process and to share their opinions online at www.betobaccofree.org.
To learn more about tobacco cessation, contact the Arizona Smokers' Helpline at 1-800-556-6222.
The state's general Helpline is a 24-hour service that addresses tobacco cessation. Funded by the state's tobacco tax, the Helpline began in 1995 and started receiving tobacco tax funding in 1996. It offers cessation guidance in both English and Spanish, along with a 24-hour interactive Web site at www.ashline.org.
Some of the free services include coaching, supplying materials, presenting information about tobacco cessation classes, providing physicians with tools to help their patients quit smoking, as well as offering patches and other medications to help smokers kick the habit.
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