The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Quit cold turkey before Thanksgiving

By Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

8 November 2000

Boy, wouldn't it be nice to give your family the news on Thanksgiving that you've given up smoking?

November 16th is the Great American Smoke-Out and a perfect time for smokers to quit "cold turkey!"

I have a friend who's father smoked during his growing up years. Both parents had heart problems and eventually he lost them both to heart attacks before he was out of college.

He took over his father's business and the first thing he did was make it a smoke-free environment.

We can all think of people we have loved who wouldn't give up the smoke and suffered for it. It is painful to stand by and watch.

That is one of the reasons The American Cancer Society began promoting "The Great American Smoke-Out". Not only can smokers give up the cigarettes for a day, but those who don't can be a support and encouragement to those who try.

I received some emails about smoking which I am going to share with you.

"Smoking Trivia Quiz"

Are you looking for a few good reasons to stop smoking? Find out about the risks and costs of smoking in this quiz from 1440 Reasons to Quit Smoking (Meadowbrook Press).

1. If you smoke a pack a day, how many cigarettes will you smoke in fifty years-if you live that long?

A. 109,500 B. 219,000 C. 365,000 D. 730,000

2. Finish this proverb: "Quitting cold turkey is better than ending up a ____."

A. hot tamale B. dead duck C. pig in a poke D. short order cook

3. Every year, how many nonsmokers does second-hand smoke kill in the United States?

A. 145 B. 1,000 C. 4,400 D. 53,000

4. Back in 1965, 42 percent of adults smoked. Thirty years later, in 1995, what percent of adults smoked?

A. 52 B. 47 C. 34 D. 25

5. If a prisoner were forced to smoke, on what legal grounds might he sue the prison?

A. A writ of habeas corpus B. The fifth amendment C. A bill of attainder D. Cruel and unusual punishment

6. If you smoke a pack a day, roughly how much money do you pay a year for cigarettes (not counting medical bills, dry cleaning bills, and other secondary costs)?

A. $500 B. $1,000 C. $1,500 D. $2,000

7. Which of these smokers was the youngest when he/she died?

A. Babe Ruth B. Nat King Cole C. Steve McQueen D. John Candy

8. What percent of all infant deaths does smoking during pregnancy cause?

A. 2 B. 6 C. 10 D. 19

9. Finish this proverb: "If God had wanted you to smoke, he would have given you a ____ instead of a respiration system."

A. chimney B. ash tray C. fire place D. fire engine

10. What percent of smokers say these words on their death bed: "Gee, I wish I could have kept this habit just a little bit longer"?

A. 50 B. 25 C. 10 D. 0

Answers: 1-C; 2-B; 3-D; 4-D; 5-D; 6-B; 7-D; 8-C; 9-A; 10-D

Quit Smoking Tips

Do things you were putting off or were unable to do. Take up a sport, play with your kids, really breathe again.

Remember someone may be following in your footsteps.