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Kick The Habit With Duke

Duke events July 8-29 help employees who quit smoking or want to quit

By Bryan Roth

Angela Brockington tried to quit smoking once the past, but to no avail. Since starting a cessation program through Duke this spring, she feels like she's kicked the habit.

By attending QuitSmart classes and utilizing other resources provided for free by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee wellness program, Brockington said she's been nearly tobacco free for three months. It's a difference that's helped her feel better and start healthy habits, like drinking more water every day and going for a walk after getting home from work.

"I'm more motivated now to make sure I quit for good,"  said Brockington, a processing technician in the Sterile Processing Department of Duke North. "I made new friends to talk to and do activities with to keep my mind off smoking," 

In addition to group support, Brockington has also used a tobacco cessation helpline when she's felt like having a cigarette and received a free three-month supply of CHANTIX, a tobacco cessation prescription drug.

To honor the success of Brockington and other faculty and staff who have worked to kick the habit of tobacco use, LIVE FOR LIFE will host a variety of events across Duke beginning Friday. The events correspond with the anniversary of the Duke Medicine going tobacco free in July 2007. 

"We've seen so many people make life-changing decisions in our programs, so we want to celebrate them and give something back," said Lauren Updyke, health education manager for LIVE FOR LIFE. "We want to show everyone at Duke we're here to help."

Starting July 8, LIVE FOR LIFE will provide quitting tips and free refreshments from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at these locations:

LIVE FOR LIFE employees will also roam the entrances and every hallway of these areas from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to share tobacco cessation information:

Find information about Duke's tobacco cessation programs online.