The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital is working to help patients who want to quit smoking. The hospital’s tobacco consult service is available to hospital patients who want assistance kicking their tobacco habit.
The service provides an assessment of nicotine withdrawal and the patient’s need for medication, along with bedside counseling by trained tobacco counselors and telephone follow-up. Patients can access the service by calling the UAB Lung Health Center from their hospital room at 934-0411.
“Studies show that the combination of counseling and medication, such as nicotine replacement therapies or cessation aids, is the most effective way to stop smoking,” said William Bailey, M.D., professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Palliative Care. “Smoking is the single most avoidable cause of disease, disability and death in the United States. Quitting smoking can lead to significantly improved mortality, particularly in cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and COPD.”
For more information about quitting, contact the UAB Lung Health Center at 205-934-0411. Or call the Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW (784-8669) or visit www.alabamaquitnow.com.