Smoking Cessation
Ready to quit smoking? Boston College, in partnership with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, provides a host of resources and programs to help you.
American Lung Association
Freedom from Smoking Help Line
Telephone counseling from certified counselors (RNs and registered respiratory therapists). Call (800) LUNG-USA (800-586-4872) and select option 2. American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking Online Program Basic membership is free for eight online modules. Premium membership is $15 for three months or $40 for one year. More information is available at www.ffsonline.org. American Lung Association has a website featuring a summary of all ALA resources, including smoking cessation tips and videos.
Harvard Pilgrim
Personalized telephonic coaching from a Harvard Pilgrim health coach is available free of charge to members. The coach works collaboratively with members and/or their families to develop and implement a smoking cessation plan. Say “yes” to question 50 on the Health Questionnaire, or if you missed that opportunity when taking the HQ, call (888) 888-4742 and ask the Member Services rep to have a Health Coach contact you.
Smokers’ Helpline (funded by Departments of Public Health in MA, NH and RI)
This helpline provides telephonic coaching and cessation medication information with unlimited access. It is affiliated with QuitWorks.org, which works with patients and their health care providers to access cessation medication. Contact 800-QuitNow or http://makesmokinghistory.org.
MyVision.Org
Quitting smoking is the best way to protect your eyes from damage. There are many resources available to help you quit smoking if you are ready to do so. If you cannot quit right now, making other changes to your lifestyle can lower your risk of serious eye disease due to smoking. Visit MyVision.Org for more information.
American Lung Association
Freedom from Smoking Self-Help Guide
This 56-page workbook is an at-home smoking cessation tool. To order, call 800-LUNG-USA (800-586-4872) or visit http://www.lung.org/get-involved/in-your-community and enter your zip code to make this request to your local office. Cost: $5.99.
Harvard Pilgrim
Quit Smart program
This is a self-paced program with a kit that includes a stop-smoking guidebook, hypnosis CD and cigarette substitute. The kit is available in English and Spanish. Cost: $26.23 per member (with “HPHC” discount code).
Craving to Quit program
This is a 21-day mindfulness-based wellness program available as a smartphone app. Initial Cost: $59.25 ($79/lifetime less a 25% BC employee discount). Final Cost for BC employees in $20, upon employees’ completion of the program and submission to Healthy You for reimbursement. Please contact Human Resources for reimbursement information.
Harvard Pilgrim
Smoking Cessation Hypnosis, available at the New England Ethical Hypnosis Institute in Springfield, MA, offers sessions in English or Spanish. Sessions are also available on CD. To learn more, visit http://www.mindbrainconnection.com/index.html. Cost: $95 for three sessions.
University Hypnosis Center
Hypnosis is also available at the University Hypnosis Center in Amherst, MA. Three to five sessions are recommended. Cost: The first session (1.5 hours) is $150, with additional sessions costing $100 each. Harvard Pilgrim members receive a 10% discount.
Employee Assistance Program (KGA)
More information can be found here.