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January - February 2021
ARMC Tobacco Cessation Department
Spring 2021 Issue
Currently, the Tobacco Cessation Department at Anaheim Regional Medical Center (ARMC) serves over 3,700 people who want to quit smoking each year. On average, this means the department helps 10 people quit smoking every single day. With a staff of 11 and services offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Farsi, the Tobacco Cessation Department has come a long way since 2003, when it was first established at ARMC.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
In January - February, we helped 219 people quit smoking!
NEW-LUNG has helped people who want to quit smoking and vaping. Below is the number of people who have received NEW-LUNG services this quarter.
January
Adults 117
February
Adults 102
TOTAL 219
If you know anyone who is ready to quit smoking, call 1-866-639-5864. Free services in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Farsi.
SEE WHAT’S INSIDE
03 THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SMOKING, COVID-19
04 SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST
05 SMOKING INCREASES COVID-19
06 FOLLOW THE BUNNY: TIPS
07 PANDEMIC REIGNITED AMERICA’S TOBACO ADDICTION
08 CURRENT SMOKING AND COVID-19 RISK
The Connection Between Smoking and COVID-19
Smoking injures local defenses in the lungs by increasing mucus production and inflammation. This is why people who smoke are more likely to have serious respiratory infections and illnesses. The social behavior of smoking and vaping can also increase the risk of spreading the virus, as people who smoke or vape often do so in group settings.
For these reasons, people who smoke may be at more risk for serious COVID-19 infection and more likely to get critical diseases and have to be hospitalized.
The COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity for people who smoke to recognize the serious health risks associated with smoking/vaping and consider quitting.
Citation:
Mayo Clinic, November 2020
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Spring is here! Get into the spring cleaning mode to get rid of anything that reminds you of smoking and to get rid of the remaining tobacco smell!
Get rid of any tobacco related products
Clean the house
Clean the car
Wash clothes, curtains, and/or drapes
Vacuum/mop the floor
Smoking Increases COVID-19 Receptors in the Lung
From the early stages of the pandemic, scientists and clinicians have noted differences in how people respond to the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Three groups in particular, have been significantly more likely than others to develop severe illness: men, the elderly, and smokers.
Research from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) scientists suggest that cigarette smoke causes the lungs to produce more Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2). This coronavirus protein is responsible for grabbing and entering into human cells.
Lab experiments determined how vulnerable groups might share key features. The study found that mice which were exposed to smoke in a laboratory and humans who were current smokers had significant upregulation of ACE2. Data later revealed that the level of ACE2 in the lungs of people who had quit smoking was similar to that of non-smokers.
The analysis indicates that this explains why smokers appear to be particularly vulnerable to severe infections. Quitting smoking may reduce the risk of a severe coronavirus infection.
Citation:
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, May 2020
Follow the Bunny for Quit Smoking Tips
The Pandemic Reignited America’s Tobacco Addiction
For the first time in years, cigarette sales in the U.S. have held a steady rate in 2020.
Working from home allows for infinite smoke breaks and lighting up more due to boredom or stress. Additional smoking habits may be due to the fact that people have less things to spend their money on right now.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, smoking is responsible for 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S. alone — comparable to the number the pandemic has killed, but every year. COVID vaccination efforts may help to return to more regular activities, encourage people to take fewer smoking breaks, and pick up the phone to get help in quitting!
Citation:
Marker Editors, May 2020
Current Smoking and COVID-19 Risk: Results from a Population Symptom App in Over 2.4 Million People
Tobacco smoking is a significant risk factor for both viral and bacterial respiratory infections. Smokers are five times more likely to develop influenza and twice as likely to develop pneumonia. Similarly, there is evidence to suggest that smoking is associated with more severe disease, a greater risk of ICU admission, and excess mortality in people with COVID-19 who are admitted to the hospital.
To further establish the impact of smoking, researchers in the UK used a Zoe COVID-19 Global app to provide data (demographics, smoking status, medical conditions). Participants were asked to provide daily updates on their health, testing, and test results.
From this study, it was found that current smokers were more likely to report symptoms of COVID-19. Among subjects who tested positive for COVID-19, current smokers were more likely to develop delirium and abdominal pain compared to non- smokers. It was also found that current smokers who tested positive had a higher risk of being admitted to a hospital due to COVID-19 compared to non-smokers.
In addition to an increase in individual susceptibility to developing COVID-19 following viral infection, smoking might also be expected to increase the risk of infection due to the repeated hand to mouth movements that smoking entails.
RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PATCHES FOR FREE: Want to receive an extra week’s worth?
NEW-LUNG is offering an extra one-week's worth of patches if you refer a friend or family member to our program! Refer a friend and/or family member to NEW-LUNG so they can receive free virtual counseling and nicotine patches. Quit together and motivate each other!
With our service, you and your friend/family member will receive:
FREE virtual or telephone counseling
FREE nicotine patches
FREE quit kit
FREE follow-up support calls
Have your friend/family member call 1-866-NEW-LUNG (639-5864) with your name and phone number, so you can receive your additional supply of nicotine patches!
Please RSVP if you would like to sign up.
CALL 1-866-NEW LUNG (639-5864)
Free quit vaping classes are available.
*Must attend ALL CLASSES of 5 session class series.
Participants receive a FREE SUPPLY OF NICOTINE PATCHES.
Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency/Tobacco Use Prevention Program.