Six months smoke free and counting | va minneapolis health care | veterans affairs

Marine Veteran Lloyd Grimmer is six months into his journey as a non-smoker and credits the Minneapolis VA smoking cessation program for helping him do it. He had his first cigarette at the

age of 13 and smoked on and off in the beginning before becoming a full-time smoker. Lloyd said at the beginning it was a matter of peer pressure with family and friends actively smoking. As

he grew older, he began using cigarettes to cope with life stressors. In June he decided to quit smoking. He recalled learning about the Minneapolis VA smoking cessation group last year.

Now that he was ready to quit, he reached out to the program to begin his journey of quitting. On June 10, he smoked his last cigarette. With help from Dr. Marissa Evans, he has successfully

stayed on track with his goals. “He joined our group with a lot of motivation to quit,” said Evans. “He used all the resources available to him, asked for support from other Veterans,

practiced recommendations for managing urges and stress, and sought advice when needed. He continues to come to our group to offer support to other Veterans on their quit journey. He is

great at helping other Veterans to feel comfortable in our group.” “Gosh, overall, I'd just say walking alongside Veterans as they work on quitting tobacco is a gift,” said Megan Daman

the Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program Manager. “Veterans like Mr. Grimmer who grab on to and use the DEADS strategy (delay, escape, avoid, distract, substitute), who offer and

receive support, ARE successful. I'm so happy for Mr. Grimmer and all our Veterans who choose to make this change.” Going through the smoking cessation program has allowed Grimmer to

see many positive changes in his overall life. He sleeps better, breathes easier and his blood pressure has returned to healthier levels. It has also helped his pocketbook. He is now able to

go out to eat more often any buy better quality food in the grocery store.  “The program helped give me the mental strength to quit and it helps reinforce that on a weekly basis. The VA

cares and provides resources to us Veterans for our welfare,” Grimmer said. “If it wasn’t for the VA, I would have been dead some years ago.” There are many reasons to give the smoking

cessation program a look for your own health benefits. Talk to any of your VA providers if you are interested in learning more about smoking cessation classes. November is Lung Cancer

Awareness Month. Quitting smoking is a great first step in preventing lung cancer.