Fessler USA announces 100% Tobacco Free Policy

When Fessler USA made the decision to implement a 100% tobacco free policy, some members of management decided they needed to quit smoking. Some of these management team members are currently working with COGI cessation staff to kick the habit and then serve as a role model and mentor for other employees who may decide to quit as well. The Human Resource Coordinator has volunteered to allow us to follow her through her quit process.

Meet JoAnn - She's Quitting Tobacco

Hi, I´m JoAnn Pilston, Human Resources Coordinator at Fessler USA in Orwigsburg and I´m quitting smoking. I have smoked for 22 years and when I smoked my first cigarette unfortunately I didn´t get sick like most of my friends did. I now know why…. My father smoked around us kids my whole childhood. I didn´t realize how it affected me until now. 22 years ago second hand smoke was not a big deal. Since then, my father has quit smoking and I am very proud of him and he has been trying to talk me into quitting but he realizes how hard it is. I don´t plan on telling my father that I am trying to quit until I succeed because I want to surprise him, I know he will be proud.

One of the main reasons I would like to quit is because I get so winded. I enrolled my 2 year old Chocolate Lab in agility and I have to be able to run around the obstacle course with her. That is not an easy thing to do if you smoke. The other members of the class have no problem running around the course and a couple of them are older. How embarrassing is that?! I will keep you updated on my progress.

Week 1 - October 15, 2007

JoAnn: "This week, I am participating in a Quit & Win! program that is provided by Clinical Outcomes Group Inc. Wish me luck!!!"

Week 2 - October 22, 2007

JoAnn meets individually with Karen McCloskey, a tobacco cessation coach from Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. Typical meets of this nature include developing an individualized quit plan, discussing Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and setting a Quit Date.

After discussing things with Karen, JoAnn decides to choose patches for Nicotine Replacement Therapy during her quit. Karen disbursed the first box to JoAnn in anticipation of her upcoming Quit Date.

JoAnn's Quit Date - October 24, 2007

JoAnn: "Well 10/24 is my quit date. I have prepared for this by going from smoking one pack a day to ½ a pack a day. I am excited about my new smoke free life and I am using the patches as my Nicotine Replacement Therapy that Clinical Outcomes Group had given me at my weekly one on one counseling session. FesslerUSA is so supportive of its employees living healthier lives; they agreed to pay $150.00 of the NRT for employees willing to go tobacco free. What a great deal!

I started running on the treadmill last night and it felt good. I can´t wait till I can run for ½ hour straight without having to slow down."

Week 3 - October 29, 2007

JoAnn: "Here it is week 2 of my quit already, wow how time flies by. I am still smoke free. To tell you the truth, it really hasn´t been as hard as I thought it would be. The patches that Clinical Outcomes Group supplied have been a huge help. My husband likes the fact that I don´t smell like smoke anymore but boy can I smell it on other people. I never imagined I smelled that way. Just makes me realize that I do not want to go back to that."