n Online links to stop-smoking programs at Determined-ToQuit.com.

The diaper incentive program is what finally swayed Cancel. “The offer of free diapers helped me because I then had another goal, something else to strive for,” she says. But the valuable prize has to be earned in no uncertain terms. The new mom comes in once a month to have the carbon monoxide in her blood monitored. Elevated levels of CO is an indicator of tobacco use, so if the number is low enough, showing the client is still not smoking, they’ll get diapers for free.

To hear of successful carbon monoxide monitoring is especially rewarding for caregivers like Eckels. “It shows that we’re being effective. It means we’re keeping nicotine out of the mother’s system, and keeping second-hand smoke away from the babies after they are born. If you know of someone who’s quit and she’s about to have her baby, that’s very rewarding. And the mom’s healthier, too, which is an added bonus.”

Merrilynn Cushman, a service provider at Titusville Area Hospital where she is the tobacco programs coordinator, has also seen the victories and defeats first-hand, and she, like Eckels, remains optimistic that the high local numbers can be reduced.

Cushman’s role is often one-on-one with the clients. She goes out into the community and meets with pregnant women and tries to get them to quit. And she knows how hard that is, because she went through it herself. How long has she been smoke-free? That’s easy, her son will be 12 years old this year. “I quit more than 12 years ago, after becoming pregnant with my first child.”

Now she shares the message with others, hoping for some success stories along the way. “Ultimately, it’s purely an individual effort; it’s up to the client,” Cushman summarizes. “You have to want to do it, and you have to believe you can do it. After that is established, the serious work can begin.”

Cancel, 29 and a smoker for more than half of her life, is well on her way to becoming another notch on the stop-smoking program’s victory belt. The thought of it makes her think back to “that day.” At age 14 she was visiting with friends at one of their homes. Suddenly, “my best friend’s father was coming into the room, and she knew she would get in trouble. So, she handed the cigarette to me, and I smoked it all.” Calm as could be, she saved the day for her friend but, from that very first puff, Cancel was hooked. “I liked the smell, and it tasted good.” From that day forward, she smoked between eight and 10 cigarettes almost every day — for 15 years.

“I’ve been feeling so much better since I quit. I don’t plan to go back to it at all,” she said last week.

Eckels and Cushman will be doing all they can to help that happen.

Ed Mailliard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at ed@meadvilletribune.com.