Woman ready to quit smoking

Quitting smoking is hard–just ask Debbie Kempf. At least two good stabs at it in the past few years ended when she lit a cigarette.
But the Fort Frances woman is bound and determined to kick the habit for good when she butts out March 1 as part of the province-wide contest “Quit Smoking 2000.”
Sponsored by the Council for a Tobacco-free Ontario, the contest encourages smokers to quit until at least April 3.
“I’m so excited about quitting. I’ve written down a list of what I’m going to do when I want a cigarette,” Kempf enthused Friday, fully aware of the powerful nicotine cravings she’ll be
“When I get up in the morning, the first thing I want is a cigarette so
instead I’m going to get on the treadmill, or jump out the door and go for a walk to make the craving go away,” she said.
“Driving also is trigger for me. As soon as I get in the car, [lighting
up] is automatic,” she admitted. “It doesn’t matter if we’re going around
paying bills. I’ll have three or four puffs and then throw it away and light another one when we get back in the car.
“I’m just going to get past the first day, then the second day, then the third,” she reasoned.
Mental determination is one of the first steps to success, Jacqueline Cawston, health educator with the Northwestern Health Unit, agreed yesterday.
In fact, writing things down was among the “weaponry” against nicotine cravings discussed at an informational forum outlining the contest and support resources for Abitibi-Consolidated employees and their spouses last night.
The forum was headed up by Cawston, and co-worker Lori Ball, and pharmacist David Schwartz of Gagné Pharmacy here.
“That’s what [is recommended] that you find out where your cravings are,“ said Cawston, noting more than 15 people showed up at the forum, with more stopping by the health unit for information on quitting smoking.
“We’ve gone through a lot of registration forms and ‘Quit Kits’ at the health unit,” she noted. “That shows us that there’s awareness out there and that people are thinking about quitting.”
Kempf said she hates the smell of cigarette smoke, and hoped her quitting would quash the “egging on” by her husband, Lew, who gave up smoking some time ago.
But perhaps the biggest factor in her decision to quit came after her 16-year-old son, Michael, was diagnosed with cancer last fall. He must undergo chemotherapy for the next six months
“Every time I look at him, I think he has done nothing, nothing to deserve what he has–and here I am . . . .” she trailed off.
“In my own heart and mind, it doesn’t make sense [to smoke],” she added.
Smokers who want to enter the contest can pick up entry forms at the health unit office on Scott Street. Contestants must be 19 years or older to be eligible.
They also must sign up two friends who they can turn to for support when the going gets tough, and who will attest to the contestant staying smoke-free for the month.
Winners also must verify their non-smoking status by a simple urine test.
Prizes include a Caribbean vacation for two, a diamond necklace, television/VCR sets, and a three-day weekend stay for two at the Sheraton Hotel of their choice (with $500 spending money).
Locally, the Fort Frances Sportsplex will provide a free one-year membership as a contest prize.