Chenango gets behind anti-smoking effort

By Katherine Waters

Sun Staff Intern

The “One million fewer smokers by 2010” program, administered through New York Tobacco Use Prevention and Control, may be a plausible goal, says Norwich physician Dr. Karen Banks-Lindner. Tobacco Free Chenango, a program of Chenango Health Network, has increased its efforts to help smokers make it through the quitting process and help New York State reach its goal.

James Mutabiilwa, program coordinator for Tobacco Free Chenango, announced that Dr. Banks-Lindner has been named a champion of tobacco cessation due to her efforts to council her patients through the quitting process.

As a doctor of internal medicine, Dr. Banks understands the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Her practice involves the cardio pulmonary, respiratory, and digestive systems of the body, which are all affected by tobacco abuse.

For the past three years, Dr. Banks has made an effort to pre-screen her patients for tobacco abuse. “Anyone who does smoke, I counsel them on why it is important for them to quit,” she said.

Long-term tobacco use increases the risk factors of cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, skin problems and dental issues. After initially counseling her patients, Dr. Banks refers them to the New York State Smokers’ Quitline.

In the three years Dr. Banks has been working to help her patients quit, “most patients are receptive to talking about their tobacco abuse,” she said.

She also explained “some have no desire to quit.” But that does not dissuade her from her effort. She likes to concentrate on her patients who come for the sole purpose of quitting, since they are also making an effort to quit. She believes since the tax increase, four weeks ago, there have been more people who have successfully quit.

Dr. Banks says she finds it important to do her work in Chenango County due to the high incidence of cancer in lower economic patients. “New York State has helped well, by providing two weeks of free cessation materials,” she said. For those who feel they can’t afford to quit, she reminds them “a box of patches costs less than a week of cigarettes.”