Every Nov. 18, the American Cancer Society strongly encourages tobacco users throughout the country to take the first steps toward giving up cigarettes by participating in the Great American Smokeout. The ACS provides many resources to help smokers set a quit date, develop a quit plan, deal with withdraw and stay quit. In addition, firefighter organizations offer specific programs tailored to firefighters that include a Put It Out program offered by the National Volunteer Fire Council.

With support from Pfizer, the NVFC recently launched the Put It Out Web site to help first responders quit smoking for good. The site provides tools and resources for career and volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel who are ready to take the steps to stop smoking, said Sarah Lee, NVFC deputy director. Lee said the program works and was proven in 2009 during a six-month pilot program, where participants learned the hazards of smoking and then were provided with access to a gym and a nutrition counselor to help them quit. The results of the program helped shaped the content available through the Web site, Lee said.

“After we finished the pilot program, we decided to take it nationally,” she said. “And that’s how we came up with the Put It Out Web site.”

Lee said the site contains several sections to assist individuals in quitting smoking; to help family members support first responders who are quitting; and to guide fire departments and state associations in establishing a non-smoking policy and smoking cessation program. Tools and resources include a quit calendar, steps for how to quit, statistics and facts about smoking, outreach letters and motivational daily, weekly or monthly e-mails.

“Smoking always comes in under reported, because it is self-reported and people don’t like to admit to it,” Lee said. “Also, it’s taboo because so many departments have a non-smoking policy but still a lot of firefighters smoke. But it’s deadly. So we felt it is important to get these resources out to the fire service.”

Learn more about quitting smoking and maintaining an all-around heart-healthy lifestyle.

Related Links:

• smokefree.gov
• CDC's Office on Smoking and Health
• National Cancer Institute's Smoking-Cessation Page
• My Time to Quit
• American Lung Association