IEA Radon_Reporter_April 2025

THE RADON REPORTER | 25 RADON DATA Mark P. had smoked for more than 35 years when he finally decided it was time to quit. But he needed help. Mark lived with high blood pressure and heart problems for many years, resulting in four heart surgeries. During one procedure, he suffered a ruptured aortic aneurysm causing paralysis in his legs and leaving him unable to walk. “I still continued to smoke for many years after that,” said Mark. “My heart doctors would always talk to me about the effects of smoking on my heart and blood pressure, even giving me brochures on the Freedom From Smoking® Program, but I basically would just toss them aside.” In 2002, he suffered a brain aneurysm and “continued to smoke, knowing I was walking a dangerous path because of my health issues.” Then one day he ran into a friend who worked at the local hospital where they offered the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking. Mark thought ‘what the heck. I’ll give it a shot. After all, what’s the harm? If I decide I don’t like it, I can always stop doing the program.’ Understanding he still had control over what he did, rather than feeling forced or pressured to quit, he chose to commit himself to learning all the program had to offer so that even if this wasn’t his time to quit, he’d have all of the tools needed to do it when he was finally ready. “Well thank goodness I did,” said Mark, “the program resulted in me smoking my last cigarette October 1, 2019, and I’ve been smoke-free ever since,” said Mark. “I feel so much better. I breathe better and my blood pressure is the best it’s been in over 30 years. I’m so glad I made the decision to give the Freedom From Smoking Program a shot.” Mark says he regularly recommends the program to friends and relatives, “and I’ll continue to recommend it to anyone who wants to quit smoking. I enjoy telling my story to anyone, anytime. After all, I smoked for 35 years and here I am, five years smoke-free.” Quitting With Support The Freedom From Smoking Program has helped more than one million individuals, like Mark, quit smoking over the past 40 years. The program, one of the most effective smoking cessation programs in the country, provides personalized, evidence-based and proven- effective cessation techniques to help individuals quit all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices. It is widely known that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Quitting smoking is the single most important step radon and vapor intrusion professionals and their families can take to protect their health. While 70% of people who smoke want to quit, many face challenges in doing so without proper support. Comprehensive treatment plans, including behavioral counseling and FDA-approved cessation medications, have proven effective in helping people quit for good. Through a special partnership of the American Lung Association and the Indoor Environments Association (formerly AARST), the Freedom From Smoking Program is available at no charge to radon and vapor intrusion professionals and their families. The program is self-paced and accessible through any digital device including your tablet, laptop or smartphone anytime day or night. Just like Mark, you can quit on your own terms. Learn more about the program and how to enroll at aarst.org/ala-ffs/ or scan the QR code to begin your quit journey today. ALA-IEA Partnership FFS Campaign Mark Stopped Smoking and Improved His Overall Health, You Can Too!