It's never too late to quit smoking
Smokers who made it a New Year's resolution to quit cigarettes have the best chance ever for reaching success.
That is because studies have shown the most effective approach to quitting is a combination of counseling sessions and nicotine replacement therapy.
Both are available free of charge at the New York State Smokers' Quitline.
The Quitline at (866) 697-8487 (1-866 NY-QUITS) offers tips for quitting, moral support and free nicotine patches and gum. Coaches are available to talk with callers seven days a week. More than half of the calls they receive are from long-time smokers.
That's right.
Quitting is possible, even for those who have smoked for many years.
More than 3 million Americans quit smoking annually, often saving themselves the pain of lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease _ not to mention saving about $2,000 per year, for pack-a-day smokers.
Most tobacco users want to quit. The Quitline answered 298,072 inquiries in 2008. Included in that figure are 691 calls from Delaware County, 943 from Otsego and 579 from Schoharie.
Your neighbors are already trying the Quitline.
In 2010, smokers can stop letting cigarettes control their life.
There is no shame in seeking help in fighting a seriously addictive substance.
It feels so great to be tobacco free.
Marcia Kozubek
Oneonta
Kozubek is a project coordinator for Rural Three for Tobacco Free Communities.
One year of Obama has hurt our nation
America's change to an Obama-Nation has me greatly concerned. In one year of our president's rule (please note: I did not say leadership) he said we are no longer a Christian nation. A BIG CHANGE, he has bowed and apologized for about everything we believe in or stand for to Middle East jihad leaders who have and are supporting terrorism, which is taking our young men and women from us. It almost took an act of Congress to make him wear an American flag pin in his lapel. He appears indifferent to show any patriotic response at American military or memorial functions. He and his czars have taken over our auto industry, banks and are pushing health care for the U.S. that is more than questionable and spending the U.S. into bankruptcy. They spend more on illegal aliens and welfare cheats than they do on honest citizens, and on and on.
What is most appalling is the number of people who WANT government to take care of them. I think JFK would be equally surprised because he said, "ask not what your country can do for you _ ask what you can do for your country." Today I feel the only ones fighting for freedom are the ones serving the U.S., again in foreign land. While they fight and die there, we have those here who fight to take ours away.
Stop blaming big business and the rich; put the blame where it belongs with the power-hungry, pork-loving, vote-bribing so-and-sos we have elected to represent us in Washington, especially who wants to rule the U.S. Think about it.
Jack W. Harmon
Stamford
