SIERRA VISTA — Today is the Great American Smokeout.

Every year, on the third Thursday in November, The American Cancer Society urges smokers across the country to quit smoking for one day. It’s hoped the one day cessation will inspire smokers to quit smoking permanently.

The event got its start in California in 1976 when the California Division of the American Cancer Society prompted nearly one million smokers to quit for the day. That California event marked the first Smokeout, and the American Cancer Society took it nationwide in 1977.

There are a number of programs in place to help people kick the habit. As part of its Tobacco Education and Prevention Program, Arizona Department of Health Services has held forums in Cochise County, reaching out to different communities for input that might help with successful cessation programs. Two such forums were held on Sept. 26, one in Douglas and one in Sierra Vista. Similar forums, 32 altogether, were held throughout the state during that time.

Health Departments offer cessation medications and nicotine patches to help smokers.

In addition, there is a newly formed state coalition that hopes to raise awareness about a serious lung disease called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD.

One of the coalition’s primary messages to the public is “quit smoking.”

The state’s Breathe Easy Arizona campaign — a component of the American Lung Association — formed to help people suffering from COPD learn more about treatment options, prevention and resources. The grant funded coalition kicked-off with an information gathering summit in Glendale on Nov. 7 where caregivers, people with COPD, physicians and medical professionals gathered to discuss the disease and treatment options.

“COPD is the third leading cause of death in Arizona and the fourth leading cause of death in the country,” said Anna Marie Heywood, the Breathe Easy program director. Heywood, who was in Sierra Vista on Monday to talk about the state’s efforts to help people who suffer from COPD, said the program is offering free screening in the Sierra Vista area sometime in January. If screenings pick up COPD, the person will be advised to see a physician for treatment options and provided with resources.

 “Screening is just one of the things we’re doing,” Heywood said. “We’ll be taking our program to all 15 counties throughout the state.”

Since cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD, Heywood is stressing the importance of smoking cessation. Other causes that contribute to the disease are breathing second-hand smoke and breathing such irritants as pollution, dust or chemicals over a long period of time. Genetic factors can contribute to COPD, as well.

“This is a disease that develops slowly, and sometimes takes years before the person notices symptoms,” Heywood said. “It’s usually diagnosed in people who are older than 40.”

Symptoms include a chronic cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness. As the disease progresses, air flow in and out of the lungs is reduced. Severity of the disease depends on how badly the lungs have been damaged.

While there is no cure for COPD, there are things people can do to feel better and improve their quality of life, which is another part of the Breathe Easy campaign.

 As a former respiratory therapist, Heywood says that spreading the message about COPD and helping those who suffer from the disease is one of her passions.

The symptoms can be managed, she said, and the damage to the lungs can be slowed.

“But if people don’t get help, it stops them from doing the simple things in life.”

In more advanced stages of the disease, the person may require supplemental oxygen, as well as bronchodilator medications.

As part of the grant funding, Scott Ceretta, a Breathe Easy Arizona educator, will be traveling to rural areas throughout the state to educate communities about COPD prevention and treatment.



Just the Facts

Tips on quitting

Want to quit smoking? Here are some resources that could help:

• The Project for the Beneficial Use of Tobacco Taxes (B.U.T.T.) provides smoking cessation programs for county residents and free nicotine replacement therapy patches to tobacco users. For a free month supply of patches you must be 18 years or older, have smoked at least 10 cigarettes a day for the past year, have low income status, be an Arizona resident, have a medical disability/illness and be willing to participate in an anti-smoking program. If interested, contact Renee Bizzak, Cochise County health educator, at 803-3940 or rbizzak@co.cochise.az.us.

• 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, funded by the tobacco tax. It offers cessation guidance in both English and Spanish, along with a 24-hour interactive Web site at www.ashline.org.

• To learn more about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, go to the Breathe Easy Arizona Web site at www.breatheeasyaz.org or call Ann Marie Heywood at (602) 258-7505.