Smokers Determined To Kick The Habit

SEBRING - A local support group of 11 smokers likely won't hesitate to ride in a car, pick up the phone or enjoy smelling fresh coffee, but in the future they should realize it when they do.

The group heard from leader Sara Rosenbaum, of the wellness center with the health education department at Florida Hospital Heartland Division, about several of those "triggers" that subconsciously tempt smokers to reach for a lighter.

"It helps focus in on what you 're doing and why you're doing it," said 62-year veteran smoker Ed Frey.

The free eight-week session, "Freedom From Smoking Program" from the American Lung Association and Florida Hospital, helps smokers better understand why they smoke, the pitfalls of relapse, gives tips on how to best quit, and most importantly for several members, gain support from others.

Thirty-year smoker Linda Carney, 46, said smoking is a "behavioral habit" which she wants to break, with the advice of Rosenbaum and help of the literature distributed, along with the input of other smokers.

"We're in this together," said Carney after the second session on Tuesday. ""We're rooting for each other. We're a bunch of people who came together and we're all going to try this."

Mollie Rinehart has smoked for 35 years and said while she loves to puff away, she is tired of the hassle.

"I like to be with other people in the same situation," said Rinehart. "I'm not isolated and don't feel like I'm the only person."

Bud Young doesn't smoke anymore, but attended the support group session to support his wife, Sheila.

"I don't want anything to happen to her," said Bud Young. "I'll encourage, do whatever it takes, whatever has to happen. She's possibly not strong enough, but if I'm in her corner and she might eventually quit."

Shelia Young said her husband was happy to attend and she appreciated the help.

"He's really anxious. He wants me to lead a healthier life."

The group learned from Rosenbaum about "backdoors" or reasons smokers use when resuming the habit after quitting.

Fran Silvestro didn't wait for the Feb. 4 deadline (session 4) imposed by Rosenbaum to quit.

"When you're determined, it works ... but I don't think I'll ever get rid of the vice," said Silvestro. "A smoker uses any excuse."

Joe Kozic said he attended the program to convince himself that he could quit.

"I can't believe I can't do this," said Kozic. "I'm determined. You tell me I can't do this and I'll show you I can."

Based on 10 years of past experience, Rosenbaum expected a long-term, group-wide success rate of about 30 percent, which she said would be "lovely."

She referred to her attitude as group leader as "upbeat and spunky" although - like several group members - she watched a family member, her father, die of lung cancer.

"You can't make them do it," Rosenbaum told the soon to be ex-smokers. "Is it that you're bored or stressed out? Someday you have to figure it out. I can't tell you that."

Highlands Today will attend the final session of the group and report its findings in the print edition and online. At the newspaper's Web site www.highlandstoday.com, a readers forum is posted (Smokers Join Together to Quit) to allow group members and the general public to follow along and blog on the way.