Quit Tobacco: Report Card — Health Heroes

Elise Daniels, Legislative Secretary II, Ombudsmans Office

Picking up the habit
Elise started smoking at 14, trying to keep up with her older brother. “Everything he did, I did,” Elise said. She continued smoking for another 30 years – although she did quit during her pregnancies. “Once I found out I was pregnant I would hand over my cigarettes to my doctor and quit smoking immediately,” Elise said. “But as soon as my babies were old enough for me to go outside, I started smoking again. It felt like a break to do something for me.”

Mini-quit
Elise went through a ‘mini-quit’ in 2004, when she enrolled in Free and Clear Quit for Life Program through Group Health. “It went well for a month,” Elise said. “But I wasn’t mentally ready. I used every excuse in the book to smoke. I knew I wasn’t going to make it – I think you know when you’re ready.”

Since Elise’s ‘mini-quit’ in 2004, she didn’t really like to smoke – it was more of a habit. “I would start my day with a cigarette. It sounds funny, but it made my lungs open up and got me going. I liked the way it made my lungs feel.” But then Elise had a little heart scare. “It scared me. I was getting older. I thought I’m buying time.” That’s when Elise decided to give the Free & Clear Program another try.

Quitting for good
When Elise called to re-enroll in the program, she discovered that it had changed a lot [for the better] since 2004. “After the enrollment call they send you patches in the mail – three months worth at no charge – no copay. Then you set a quit date. I set my birthday.” The night before her quit date, Elise was determined to smoke until midnight. “But I fell asleep at 10:30 p.m. I was so mad when I woke up!”

Ingredients for Success
That next day – her first smoke free day – Elise very purposefully cleaned out her house and car. “I threw out my ashtrays and everything else that reminded me of smoking. I didn’t know what my triggers would be. Originally it was day by day because it was very hard. But the coaches call you – that helps. I was apprehensive but they supported me. They said ‘you’ll do it,’” Elise recalled.

Another important support system for Elise has been her co-workers. Elise has been a King County employee for a total of six years – and in her current position as a Legislative Secretary II in the Ombudsman’s Office since 2007. “My work group here was the best. They’d take me out to walk and talk. I didn’t even realize they were doing this for me until they threw me a surprise two-month smoke-free party.”

But Elise admits that it hasn’t always been easy to adjust to life without smoking cigarettes. “I started to feel left out – some of my family members would sneak out on my deck for a smoke break and when I went out there they’d all look really guilty.” And Elise gained some weight after she stopped smoking. “I’m okay with it though,” she said. “Quitting helped me learn a lot about myself. I threw out my whole morning routine – the make-up, everything – and it was so liberating.”

Three months smoke free and reason to celebrate
On the 15^th of every month Elise pats herself on the back for making it another month without smoking cigarettes. “It’s just not part of my habit anymore. It just went away. I don’t miss it. I don’t know why I’d ever start again.”

Elise has now been smoke free for over three months. And her daughter and son-in-law have now also quit smoking. “I didn’t tell them to quit. I just told them to pick a date – that’s important. And I told them how good I felt. Everyone wants to feel good, right?”

Elise also suggests having something to look forward to after quitting. For her, it’ll be celebrating her 50^th birthday – and one year anniversary of being smoke free – on roller skates. “I wanted to be able to do this on my birthday without having to go sit down. So I’m going to roller skate – and get in the middle and do the hokey pokey.” That’s what it’s all about.

Tips from Elise
Elise’s advice to other county employees who want to quit smoking:

• Tell people – co-workers, friends and family. They help hold you accountable when you’re trying to quit.
• Be realistic. Set a quit date that means something to you and is far enough in advance. If you set a quit date that’s too soon, the more scared you get and the easier it is to back out.
• Find a way to redirect your desire to smoke – I would rub my nicotine patch when I felt like I had a craving. It was psychological, but it helped me get through the cravings.

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