“How do I quit smoking?,” is a question that leaves thousands of truck drivers each year feeling lost and alone. What they don’t realize is the process is much easier than they think and free help along with milestone prizes means the path to a healthier life is one full of support and a new sense of self respect as goals are achieved.
While many of the risks of tobacco use are widely known, research is still continuing to find connections between long-term health complications and tobacco and nicotine use. And yet, for some, it does not make the process of quitting any easier.
That’s where St. Christopher Fund’s Rigs without Cigs program comes to the rescue.
Health & Wellness Manager, Lindsey Bryan, personally provides tobacco cessation counseling for the Rigs without Cigs program through the St. Christopher Fund.
“I often hear drivers say ‘I know what I need to do’ when it comes to their health, but sometimes it doesn’t make taking the first step any easier” – which is exactly why Lindsey and the Rigs without Cigs program are here to help!
What we know about tobacco cessation is that having a strategic quit plan and support along the way can make all the difference. Rigs without Cigs (RwC) is a year-long program designed to provide free treatment options, support, accountability, and prizes for tobacco-free milestones, all free to Class A CDL OTR semitruck drivers.
During the registration process, you’ll be asked to share some information about current tobacco or nicotine use, quit methods that you may have tried in the past, and how we can best support you as part of the program.
“It just gives us a starting point for a conversation”, Lindsey said. From there, you can expect a call for a consultation. During this conversation, she will take the time to learn more about your previous experience with quitting, any health concerns you may have, and proactively plan for challenges.
Based on this conversation, you’ll then have the opportunity to make a treatment plan that best fits your needs. This plan can include any of the following: Nicotine Replacement Therapies such as patches or lozenges, medications, mobile apps, Grinds coffee pouches, and/or an audiobook.
You will be encouraged to ask questions about any treatment options that you are interested in to help address concerns you may have, whether they are risks for side effects, how to get the most effective use out of a treatment, or how to weather a difficult craving.
You may also receive some other suggestions during this initial conversation such as getting a tactile tool like a stress ball, breathing exercises, and more. Your treatment plan will be emailed to you with any additional links or resources that were discussed while you wait for any treatments to be mailed to you.
While a year sounds like a long time, most participants agree that it goes by quickly. You can initially expect to receive a weekly or bi-weekly check-in, depending on your experience with starting your plan.
Sometimes the plan has to be adjusted early on, and that’s okay! Once you have a few weeks tobacco-free under your belt, you may find that you are feeling confident with a monthly check-in. The support is tailored to you and your needs along the way, but our goal will be to build confidence in this new habit change.
One of the truly exciting moments during your year with RwC is achieving tobacco-free milestones. Lindsey will reach out to confirm that you have continued to remain tobacco-free since your last check-in and then will request prizes from one of our sponsors, RoadPro. RoadPro offers prizes at the one-,three-, six-, and 12-month milestones.
While a year sounds like a long time, most participants agree that it goes by quickly. Before you know it, 12-months have passed, and you are able to celebrate an entire year tobacco-free. You’ll receive a Certificate of Achievement to commemorate this milestone and, more importantly, all that you have accomplished throughout the year.
As you officially graduate from the program, you will receive another reminder to reach out to call, text, or email if you need support in tobacco cessation or any of your health and wellness goals in the future.
With this level of free help and incentives available, quitting smoking becomes a much more reasonable goal and a life free from tobacco is waiting for truck drivers willing to try.
All it takes is a little willingness to start.
Learn more and Sign Up for our Rigs without Cigs program here.
