Smokers Urged to Take Up the Net Instead
The Great American Smokeout is challenging Ventura County smokers to put down their cigarettes and take up computer keyboards and holiday crafts to participate in an Internet “Surf-a-thon” or a holiday “Craft-a-thon” today on the eve of the Smokeout.
“We wanted to help ‘quit-ready’ smokers find new ways to keep their hands busy,” said Jeanne Scott, program administrator for the Public Health Tobacco Education Program.
“Smoking is more than the physiological addiction to nicotine,” Scott said. “Quitters need tobacco-free behaviors and new ways to have fun.”
Although this will be the 20th year that Ventura County’s Public Health Department has participated in the Great American Smokeout, this is the first year that trading behaviors is being offered.
The real-time Internet “Surf-a-thon” will allow tobacco users throughout the world to go online from 5 to 9 p.m. to a chat room filled with other would-be quitters, successful quitters and cessation experts.
Internet linkage sites will be available throughout the evening for tobacco users who do not have Internet access or would like to learn how to use it at the Computer Training Center of Ventura County in Camarillo and the SurfNet Cafe in Ventura.
The Web site that will host the Smokeout chat room can be reached at https://www.rain.org/smokeout
The “Craft-a-thon” will teach tobacco users about holiday crafts and wood crafting from 5 to 9 p.m. Quitting tips, nutrition instruction, exercise strategies and stress-reduction information will also be provided.
An entertainment-packed kickoff celebration takes place at each of the three craft locations from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. The locations are:
* Michael’s Arts and Crafts, at Carmen and Daily drives in Camarillo, will feature the California Swing Kids of Camarillo High School, soap star Matt Ashford and a skit and mural by Los Altos School students.
* Wal-Mart, at Rose Avenue and Gonzales Road in Oxnard, will feature Los Angeles Galaxy soccer player Gerald LaTerza, the Rio Mesa High School marching band, a mural by Cesar Chavez School students and a skit by Rio de Valle Middle School students.
* K mart, at Channel Islands Boulevard and Ventura Road in Oxnard, will feature the Channel Islands High School marching band, Los Angeles Sparks basketball representative Laura Reid and a skit by E.O. Green School.
“We love the smoker, but we hate the smoke, because the smoke is a killer whether it’s the smoker himself inhaling or the people he lives with and loves,” Scott said.
“Each time the smoker tries to quit and successfully does it for even a day, it’s a step closer to actually quitting. Every smoker finally quits--but we’d like to see it sooner than later.”
Registration is requested for the crafts program. Call 652-6503 to register.