By Steffie Duginske, Western Regional Coordinator
As a health educator, I am interested in my health and the health of others. However, I am also a former cigarette smoker and understand tobacco addiction all too well. Like so many others, I started young - 14 years old - for the typical reasons. I wanted to fit in with a friend. I was definitely addicted well before high school graduation. Sadly, it took me 10 years to finally kick the habit. On a positive note, I’m one of the lucky ones who quit for good. Of the nearly 69% of adult smokers in 2010 who wanted to quit, more than 50% tried but only 6.2% succeeded.1
