Smoking Cessation


Physical Benefits of Living Tobacco-Free

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After:
20 minutes

  • Nicotine begins to leave your body
  • Pulse rate returns to normal
  • Blood pressure begins to decrease
  • Oxygen in blood returns to a normal level

2-3 days

  • Sense of taste and smell improve
  • Chance of heart attack decreases
  • Nerve endings in nose & mouth begin to re-grow

2-3 months

  • Circulation improves
  • Lung function increases up to 30%

1 year

  • Sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decreases
  • Added risk of heart disease drops by 50%
 

Quitting can be hard, so refer to any of the resources below to help you become tobacco-free!

 
 

The American Cancer Society

Want to increase your chances of quitting for good?

  • Call the American Cancer Society's Quitline®, a clinically proven, free telephone-based counseling program, at 1-800-ACS-2345.
  • Or visit www.cancer.org/smokeout.
 
CIGNA Health Care

CIGNA Health Care

CIGNA's myCIGNA web site offers a wide variety of information on smoking cessation.  You WILL need to log in to view the information, so you may need to create an account. 

Go the myCIGNA home page and click on Register if you need to create and account, or login if you already have an account.  Once you are logged in, click on the MyHealth tab near the top of the page.

Look for the Tobacco Cessation topic.

NOTE:  Colby's health plan does include some coverage for smoking cessation.  Call the number on the back of your ID card for details.

 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Cigna Healthy Rewards offers three programs to help you quit:

  • Healthy Roads for Living Tobacco Cessation
  • QuitNet
  • Tobacco Solutions

For more information, click here.

 

Healthy Maine Partnerships and Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine

Find a wealth of information related to smoking and quitting by going to these sites.  Included is information about t the Maine Tobacco Helpline:  1-800-207-1230, a free, confidential helpline.

 

Maine General

Maine General offers regular Smoking Cessation Support Group meetings in Waterville and Augusta.  In additon, they offer periodic Smoking Cessation Readiness classes.  For more information, click here.  These are free services.

 
 
Additional Links

Here are a list of additional web resources including information to better understand a tobacco habit, tips to resist the urge to use tobacco and deal with withdrawal symptoms, learn about the techniques and products available to help you quit tobacco, all supporting you to live a healthier, tobacco-free life!