Couple inspires one another to ‘Kick the Habit’

April Dzubic
American Cancer Society
For the Courier-Post

Mark Twain once said, “To cease smoking is the easiest thing I ever did. I ought to know because I’ve done it a thousand times.” Though humorous, it’s the sad truth. More than 70 percent of smokers want to quit and attempt to each year, but without the help, most fail. It can take up to seven attempts or more to successfully quit. For Tracy Nell, who works at General Mills in Hannibal, it only took two.
After smoking close to two packs a day for the past 29 years, Tracy decided it was “time to close the door on smoking.” He was given a prescription for Chantix and hoped for the best.  The catch … his wife, also a lifelong smoker and his childhood sweetheart, was not about to give up her cigarettes. So he went it alone and after a three-week attempt, Tracy was back to smoking.
Tracy’s years of smoking finally caught up with him and he had to make a choice, give up the cigarettes for good, or die. In mid October, Tracy suffered a massive heart attack and was left with no other option than to quit smoking. “My doctor said to me, ‘you smoke again, you die,’” recalls Tracy. “When they asked me if I wanted a prescription for Chantix or the patch, I said no, I think I have all I need.” The will to live is all he needed to kick the habit, and this time, his wife was ready to quit as well.
They started smoking together at age 13 and have decided to quit together. Research shows that support of family and friends can help your success rate. A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that social networks are helpful in quitting smoking. “Friends and family can help the most by being aware and supportive of the struggle to quit, and the American Cancer Society has resources to help them show support for their loved one who is trying to quit,” said Dana Blase, health initiatives manager for the American Cancer Society.
That’s the hope this time around, that together they can rely on the support of one another to help them quit. Tracy also hopes to inspire others to quit. “All I can say is, if you think it can’t be done, it can,” said Tracy. “Look at me, after 29 years; I’ve finally closed the door.”
Smoking is the most preventable cause of death. In an effort to combat smoking, the 33rd annual American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout will help America’s 46 million smokers try to kick the habit and encourage youth never to start smoking. This year, more than 400,000 people will die from smoking-related diseases, and approximately 3,500 adolescents will become regular smokers each day. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to helping the 32 million smokers who want to quit accomplish  their goal, and to reduce the number of adult smokers by reaching youth before they start to smoke.
With all the resources available to help smokers quit, there has never been a better time to do so, and the American Cancer Society is here to help. If you smoke, make a plan and set the Great American Smokeout, Nov. 20, 2008, as your quit date. By calling the American Cancer Society Quitline® at 1-800-227-2345, people who plan to quit will be able to speak with a trained counselor and receive free, confidential counseling.
Studies have found that Quitline can more than double a person’s chances of successfully quitting tobacco. Callers to Quitline can be connected with smoking cessation resources in their communities, social support groups, Internet resources, and medication assistance referrals.
Since its inception in 2000, Quitline has provided counseling support to more than 380,000 smokers.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.