Tobacco Cessation Awareness Month: Tools, Support, and Community Care

Quitting tobacco is one of the most meaningful steps someone can take to improve their long-term health, energy, and overall quality of life. At Sunshine Community Health Center, we recognize that breaking old habits and forming new ones is a deeply personal journey—one that requires support, compassion, and practical tools. That’s why, throughout the month of December, we are placing a special focus on tobacco cessation and offering helpful resources to patients who are ready to take that step.

What Is Tobacco Cessation?

Tobacco cessation is the process of cutting back or completely quitting the use of tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, vaping devices, and nicotine pouches. It often involves a combination of behavioral support, practical techniques, and medical guidance. Research consistently shows that individuals who access support services—rather than attempting to quit on their own—have a significantly higher chance of long-term success. Quitting isn’t just about stopping a behavior; it’s about building new habits, addressing triggers, and strengthening your overall health from the inside out.

Why December Matters

The end of the year can be one of the busiest and most stressful times for many people. Holidays, travel, and shifting schedules often heighten the triggers that make tobacco use feel comforting or automatic. But this season of reflection and renewal also provides an opportunity to reconnect with personal goals and set meaningful intentions for the year ahead. That’s why we chose December to highlight tobacco cessation—it’s a chance to enter the new year feeling clearer, stronger, and better supported.

Free Tools to Support Your Quit Journey

To encourage and empower patients, Sunshine CHC is offering a free breathing necklace and fidget spinner to the first 31 patients seen for a tobacco cessation appointment at each clinic this month. These simple, portable tools offer support during moments of craving or stress.

A breathing necklace helps slow and deepen the exhale, signaling the nervous system to calm itself. This quick, accessible technique can help break the mental loop of craving and create space for a healthier response. Meanwhile, a fidget spinner gives your hands something to do during the moments when your body feels the urge to reach for a cigarette or vape. These tools are often associated with children, but adults benefit just as much—especially when forming new habits or managing stress. They provide sensory grounding, mental redirection, and a physical outlet during challenging moments.

Understanding Triggers

Triggers can be emotional, environmental, or routine-based. A stressful moment, a social situation, or even a daily pattern—like having coffee or taking a break—can activate the urge to use tobacco. The tools we offer help interrupt these automatic reactions, providing alternative sensory pathways that support mindfulness and self-regulation. Combined with guidance from a healthcare professional, they become powerful additions to a patient’s quit toolkit.

Sunshine CHC Is Here to Help

Our team is committed to supporting each step of your journey. Tobacco cessation appointments include personalized strategies, stress management tools, and evidence-based approaches tailored to your lifestyle and needs. Whether you're exploring your options, returning after a previous attempt, or ready to dive in fully, we’re here to help without judgment.

Call 907-376-2273 to schedule your appointment and start your quit journey today.

Additional Support: The Alaska Quit Line

We also encourage patients to take advantage of the Alaska Quit Line, a valuable statewide resource offering free, confidential support 24/7. Services include personalized coaching, quit planning, nicotine replacement assistance, and text-based support. These can be used alongside your Sunshine CHC appointments for an even stronger support system. Visit alaskaquitline.com or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to learn more.

This December, choose health, choose support, and choose a future where breathing comes easier. Sunshine CHC is honored to walk this journey with you.

Sunshine Community Health Center

1-907-376-2273 (CARE)

www.sunshineclinic.org

*This article was written with the support of AI*