WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsUpdate: More people looking to kick the habit because of statewide smoking ban
Eau Claire (WQOW) - The statewide smoking ban has more people looking to make life changes.
One of the main reasons for the statewide smoking ban is to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. it turns out, smokers are taking it as another reason to quit.
If there ever was a time to quit smoking, now, before the statewide smoking ban, might be it.
“It makes it more and more hard to find places that are acceptable to smoke,” says Deb Krahn, a tobacco educator at Marshfield Clinic. “I do hear people saying that it's really, really hard being a smoker. It's more and more unacceptable.”
Deb works here at the Marshfield Clinic Oakwood Center. Everyday, she normally meets with five to seven patients looking to quit smoking. lately, she's seen more than that.
“I'm seeing a lot of people that are concerned that Wisconsin is going smoke-free now so it's going to be more hard for them,” she says.
Deb says up to ten more patients could come to see her each week. she says while health concerns and the cost of cigarettes remain top reasons to quit, the ban adds another one–especially for certain people.
“People that are frequently going to bars because that is often a place where you have your highest population of smokers,” Deb says. “I've actually had a few people who work in bars and bar owners, actually, who are quitting for that very reason.”
Deb expects the increase in people looking to quit will continue well after the ban goes in to effect July 5th. she says many smokers are thinking about getting help now but more will take action when it's official.
If you'd like more information on programs in our area to help you quit smoking, click on the links on the side of this page.