Sep 11, 2009 - 01:36 PM

By Jillian Follert

DURHAM -- Health care experts estimate 70 per cent of smokers want to kick their addiction. Statistics say that left to their own devices, only about seven per cent will achieve success long term. In comparison, the data suggests that 30 per cent of smokers who seek help from health care professionals manage to become smoke free.

Metroland Durham Region Media Group wanted to test that theory -- and help stack the odds in favour of some Durham residents who desperately want to butt out. We asked local smokers to tell us their stories and were overwhelmed with more than 100 phone calls and e-mails in 48 hours.

Three participants were chosen to take part in a six-week quitting challenge.

Experts from the Durham Region Smoking Cessation Network -- a group of local pharmacists, nurses, doctors, and dentists who are passionate about helping people quit -- will be providing the participants with resources, guidance and support. We will be bringing you their story in print and online at www.newsdurhamregion.com every other Wednesday, throughout August and September.

Our three participants have started their quitting journey and are discovering that, even with an arsenal of quitting tools, it's a bumpy road.

There have been setbacks and successes but so far, everyone is still in the game. This Week checked in with Marven, Sherrie and John two weeks after their meeting with the health-care experts from the Durham Region Smoking Cessation Network.

Marven Whidden

Age 46

Clarington resident

Quitting tools: Champix medication and nicotine inhaler

Marven Whidden started taking Champix the day after participants met with health-care experts. Smokers typically start the pills eight to 14 days before their quit date, so the medication has time to start working.

He smoked his last cigarette 11 days later on a Sunday night, figuring that a Monday morning would be a good time to start life as a non-smoker.

"It would have been too tempting to try to quit on a Friday night, this seemed like a fresh start," he said.

Thirty-six hours in, Mr. Whidden was going strong and not feeling much in the way of nicotine withdrawal symptoms or side effects from the medication.

"I feel pretty good," he said, while walking his dog in the park after finishing a 12-hour overnight shift at Toronto Hydro. "It's really hard, but I feel like this time I'm going to do it."

Mr. Whidden said he's tackling the behavioural side of things by distracting himself with online poker or walks with his dog, and staying away from situations that he associates with smoking -- like hanging out in his garage.

"I had a craving after dinner the other night, because smoking after eating is a big thing for me," he said. "That's when I used the inhaler. I puffed on it for about three minutes and it helped."

And, he said, Champix is doing a good job of subduing the physical nicotine cravings.

"The craving will be on my mind, then an hour later I realize it's gone and I just forgot about it," he said.

The real test will be an upcoming golf trip with his buddies. Sitting around, enjoying a few beers -- it's a recipe for temptation.

"Wish me luck," he said.

Sherrie Webber

Age 26

Oshawa resident

Quitting tools: Nicotine lozenges and nicotine inhaler

Sherrie Webber hasn't managed to butt out completely, but a week and five days after her quit date, she's down to less than a pack a day. It's a big improvement compared to the nearly two packs a day she was smoking before.

"It's been really hard, my sleep has been interrupted because of my nerves, I'm shaking like crazy, I'm coughing more," she said. "But I know it's for the best, so I have to stick with it."

Ms. Webber has been using the lozenges and inhaler regularly and says they both help, although she isn't a fan of the "cough drop" taste of the lozenges.

She notes it's especially helpful if she flicks her lighter before putting the inhaler to her lips, tricking her brain into thinking it's a cigarette.

Distraction has also been key, Ms. Webber says. She's been spending a lot of time watching TV, browsing Facebook, chatting on the phone and reading.

"When I'm reading, I make myself read 150 pages before I can have a cigarette," Ms. Webber says. "Little things like that help a lot."

Inspired by her progress, her father, Jamie Webber, has also been cutting back on cigarettes. It's an emotional issue for the whole family because Ms. Webber's mom died from lung cancer last year.

"I'm very proud of her," Mr. Webber said. "If she can do it, I can do it."

Ms. Webber said she plans to quit completely in another week.

John Hatch

Age 18

Oshawa resident

Quitting tools: Nicotine gum and nicotine inhaler

The week and three days since John Hatch's quit date have been marked with successes and setbacks.

"The first few days were actually OK, it started getting really hard around the sixth and seventh day," said the 18 year old, who is spending the summer working at Halendas before attending Durham College in the fall.

He's managed to keep cravings at bay by switching up routines that tempt him to smoke, like going outside with a cup of tea in the morning, instead of sitting down in the kitchen with a coffee.

But, it's been tough to avoid all temptation, especially with parents who both smoke in the house and co-workers who take regular smoke breaks.

"I had a bit of a setback ...I went to a company party and smoked three times," Mr. Hatch says, shaking his head. "Everyone else was smoking, I was having a great time, it just happened."

But he's back on track now and says the nicotine inhaler is proving to be a huge help, although he isn't a big fan of the nicotine gum.

"It has a sour taste ...it's not pleasant," Mr. Hatch said. "But the inhaler is the best thing in the world, it's got me through some really rough patches."

So far, Mt. Hatch hasn't experienced any side effects from the quitting products and says his only nicotine withdrawal symptoms have been "a little" moodiness and irritability.