University of Iowa employees have a resource for finding the right method through the UI Employee Health Clinic (UEHC), now in its third year of sponsoring a program.

Nurse Manager Cheryl Person, RN, says the goal of the program is to help UI employees from all over the campus who smoke to successfully give up the habit.

"We’re focused on getting staff members who are interested in quitting to actually quit," said Person. "This will ultimately lead to long term health benefits."

The program is a free service that provides one-on-one counseling. Person says the clinic aims to involve as many people in the program as possible who will stay committed to quitting. Last year, seven UI Health Care employees signed a contract and received regular counseling through the program, and all seven eventually quit smoking.

The program consists of weekly visits to the clinic for six weeks followed by monthly counseling sessions if necessary.

Though the counseling sessions are an important part of quitting, Person says that quitting requires a strong personal commitment.

"If you want to quit smoking it has to be because of a your desire and commitment to do so," said Person. "If you don’t have that, you won’t be successful."

One of the program’s success stories is Marlene Kluxdal, who works in Food and Nutrition Services. She joined the program in February and planned to quit smoking as a Valentine’s Day gift to her family. Kluxdal was able to quit just days later. Though she had a strong desire to quit, she believes getting support from the smoking cessation program helped her give up the habit for good.

"Just having somebody there that I knew I could call really helped," said Kluxdal. "The counselors at the clinic were there for support."

Not everyone has quit smoking as quickly as Kluxdal. Respiratory therapist William Bures started in the clinic at about the same time as Kluxdal and is still trying to quit successfully.

"I have not quit yet, but I do credit the UEHC with being very patient and helpful with me," said Bures. "I know they’ll work with me until I do succeed."

Bures has been smoking for ten years and, like Kluxdal, found motivation in his family. "There are many things that make me want to quit," said Bures. "But first and foremost are my two children. I feel that smoking is going to limit the enjoyment I can have with them."

For more information about the UEHC Smoking Cessation Clinic, call 356-3631.