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New program helps smokers Kick the Nic

May 17, 2010

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University has launched a new program to help its students, faculty, staff and eligible dependents quit smoking.

"The first step to quitting is wanting to quit," says Dr. Lisa Marshall, WMU medical director. "Recent changes in the law have made nearly all public spaces in Michigan smoke-free, and that coupled with growing interest in improving personal health and wellness has led a lot of people to seek help kicking the tobacco habit."

Kick the Nic is a confidential, nonjudgmental program administered by Sindecuse Health Center. It provides a variety of resources for those who want to successfully stop using tobacco, including phone or appointment consultations with tobacco cessation specialists, clinician appointments for prescription products, and online programs.

"Don't be discouraged if you've quit before and started again. Most tobacco users successfully quit only after multiple attempts.

"Support networks for healthy choices in diet, exercise and lifestyle keep growing, and every year, more of your friends join the ranks of those who've quit. With fewer places to smoke and fewer and fewer of your friends smoking, you are far less likely to be confronted with temptation," says Marshall.

Added incentive for employees and dependents

As an added incentive, benefits-eligible employees and dependents may receive full reimbursement of the cost of tobacco cessation products by enrolling in Kick the Nic. The program provides 50 percent reimbursement on nicotine replacement products and prescription expenses after being tobacco-free for three months. The remaining 50 percent of the total cost is refunded after successfully quitting tobacco for one year.

For more information, visit sindecuse.com/kickit.

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Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/news