Message 9: ‘I needed to learn a new equation to quit tobacco. I thought I knew everything I needed to teach math to my students. But I needed to learn a new equation to quit tobacco: Willpower + Skills = Success. Willpower can help you quit, but it isn’t the only thing you need. Wanting to quit isn’t always enough. To be successful, you also need skills and a plan for quitting. When I was quitting tobacco, there were challenges every day. But I had ways to beat them. You can learn them, too.’ Learn to quit tobacco with our program. Message 10: Everyone believes in you! [child one] ‘I really want my mother to quit tobacco—and I know she has the willpower to do it.’ [father] ‘She has something more than willpower: She also has a plan. Now that she knows what triggers her to use tobacco, it will be easier for her to quit.’ [child two] ‘I’m so proud of my mom! I know she can do it!’ Learn to quit tobacco with our program. Picture of parents with two daughters (everybody is smiling) Message 11: ‘I don’t treat a patient without a plan. You don’t teach your students without a plan. So, why try to quit tobacco without a plan?’ ‘Many people tell me that they want to quit tobacco. But wanting to quit isn’t always enough. You need a plan. Researchers and doctors have learned a lot about ‘triggers’. These are the things that make you want to use tobacco. We’ve studied how to beat these triggers. If you have a plan for dealing with them ahead of time, you will be able to beat tobacco.’ Learn to quit tobacco with our program. Picture of a smiling female physician Message 12: ‘I started using tobacco when I was at university—when I was with friends or out at gatherings. Soon I was using it a lot more; it just seemed to fit into my life. By the time I graduated, it had become a habit I couldn’t break. When I started teaching, it was really stressful—so many things to do during the day, so many tasks to get used to. Tobacco helped me deal with those feelings. But eventually, I really didn’t like what tobacco was doing to me. I hated having bad breath, and I had mouth sores. I wanted to stop, but I didn’t know how. The habit just seemed too much to deal with. Luckily, I learned about triggers. A trigger is something that makes you want to use tobacco. I had a lot of different triggers. For example, I always used tobacco for my morning bowel motion. Now I take churan when I go to bed instead. My tea breaks were also triggers. Now that I don’t use tobacco while I drink my tea, it tastes so much better! My biggest trigger was stress. I would use tobacco to unwind and calm down during the day. Now that I’m quitting, I take walks instead. When I walk, I have time to think. I don’t miss the tobacco very much now—and walking is much healthier for me.’ Learn to quit tobacco with our program. |
Reactions were mixed in regard to the content of the message. There was a consensual view that one can quit tobacco if one has will power and focus group participants were skeptical of a need for a quit plan. Also, participants seemed confused about the idea of making a plan to quit tobacco on their own and suggested ready-made quit plans by doctors. Discussions revolved around the content and not the format of these messages. |
There is no need of any equation in front of strong willpower. It is suggested to make plans but it can take years to make plans. So why don’t we introduce ready-made plans made by a doctor to the public. |
