David, a Kentucky-born Permanent Deacon now living in Ohio, spent decades battling a smoking addiction that controlled his life. Starting in college, his habit grew to two packs a day. It left him breathless, coughing constantly and worried about his health. When a low-dose CT scan at St. Elizabeth showed lung abnormalities and loved ones encouraged him to quit, David knew it was time. That decision led him to the St. Elizabeth Freedom from Smoking program — and transformed his life.
The Turning Point: A Personal Call to Quit
Years of coughing and declining health weren’t David’s only reasons to quit. As a lifelong servant of his faith, he often struggled with the image of being a deacon who smoked. “When you’re giving communion and someone comments about smelling cigarettes, it hits you,” he says.
With the encouragement of his pulmonologist, Oluseun Medeyinlo, MD and his family medicine physician, Michael Schulte, MD, David found the motivation. “I wanted to feel better, breathe easier and honor my commitment to myself and my community.”
Financially, smoking takes a toll. “Smoking cost me over $12 a day — thousands each year.” That money could be better spent enjoying life and he says, “Quitting wasn’t just about health — it was about reshaping my future.”
This wasn’t David’s first attempt to quit. Years earlier, he quit after being in the hospital for double pneumonia. But the addiction crept back. “I thought I could handle just one cigarette,” he says. “Before I knew it, I was buying packs again.”
Freedom from Smoking Program
David discovered the Freedom from Smoking program through his MyChart account. The program’s group-based approach, led by instructors like Crystal Pohlman, resonated with his experience in Alcoholics Anonymous, which helped him stay sober for 36 years.
“I knew if I followed the program’s guidance and applied the 12 steps, I could do it,” David says. The program offered tools like self-reflection exercises, free nicotine patches and even aromatherapy. Inspired by his faith, David created a frankincense scent that helped him stay grounded. “It brought me peace.”
The Power of Support
Quitting smoking is hard. The Centers for Disease Control reports that most smokers try to quit several times before succeeding, and David was no exception. Yet the camaraderie of the program made a difference.
While participating, David faced major life challenges, including a move to Ohio to care for his mother-in-law with dementia. Despite the stress, the group kept him focused. “Crystal’s support was unbelievable,” he says. “She truly understood what we were going through and gave us tools to make quitting manageable.” The bonds he formed helped with accountability and motivation. “We were all in it together, and that made it special.”
Life After Smoking
Within two weeks of quitting, David’s life changed. “I stopped coughing, could taste food again and felt free,” he says. The cravings that once felt overwhelming were more manageable. “I credit the people, tools and the mindset I developed during the program. The urge to smoke only lasts about five minutes,” he says. “If you can distract yourself, it passes.”
David found distraction in music, often playing the guitar to refocus and stay calm. He also rediscovered other hobbies, like building intricate model ships. He poured energy into creating these wooden vessels and found the craft therapeutic.
Quitting also brought positive changes to his relationships. David’s wife, who had long hoped he would quit, was ecstatic to see him succeed. “It’s a relief to know I’m not spending all that money or risking my health anymore,” he says.
Why Quit Smoking?
David knows firsthand how hard it is to quit smoking. “You’ve got to want to quit, and you’ve got to get support to do it.” If you’re thinking about quitting, David says, “Give the program a try. It’s life-changing.” For him, quitting wasn’t just about health but about reclaiming his life. “I’m enjoying life more now than ever,” he says.
If you are ready to quit smoking, St. Elizabeth is here to help. Freedom from Smoking is a FREE 7-week tobacco cessation program developed by the American Lung Association. This program gives you the knowledge, support and tools you need to overcome tobacco addiction and quit for good. For more information or to register for a class, call (859) 301-5570 or visit Tobacco Cessation | St. Elizabeth Healthcare (stelizabeth.com).
