WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | WIS News 10 producer vows to 'kick butts' and quit smoking

WIS News 10 producer vows to 'kick butts' and quit smoking

By Dawndy Mercer Plank - bio | email

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Smoking is a habit that many people cling to when they just need a moment to themselves.

Unfortunately, it also breeds health problems such as emphysema and lung cancer. Not to mention the fact that it becomes an expensive habit rather quickly.

So, instead of piling on the reasons why you shouldn't smoke, let's actually hear the story of someone who is trying to kick the habit.

Allison Wardley is a producer here at WIS News 10. She, like most smokers, points to stress as the main reason why she smokes.

"Any time I get mad at anyone or upset or get blocked writing a script, I'm the person that says, 'Okay. I have to get away from my computer and go have a cigarette,'" said Wardley.

Quitting is something that has crossed her mind before, but has never come to fruition.

"Deep down I want to quit because I know how bad it is and I've kind of suppressed that. Kind of like well, 'I'm 23, I'm indestructible. I don't need to worry about it right now,'" said Wardley.

Tired of those telling her she should quit, Wardley decided to take a shot at one of the smoking cessation courses at Palmetto Health Richland.

Dr. Gary Ewing would be her physician in the course. Wardley and Dr. Ewing went over her medical history.

"As a physician, I can tell you there is nothing more important that you can do than to stop smoking," said Dr. Ewing while reviewing her history.

After her review, Wardley realized it's going to take a lot of strength to quit.

"That does freak me out to give up on something, get rid of something that I've been doing so long," said Wardley. "I feel like it's something that I need to do."

To keep herself in check, Wardley is holding on to just one cigarette. If she wanted to start back up again, all she'd have to do is light it up, but she'd be back at square one.

"My last little cigarette. It's just sitting there. I haven't smoked it, yet. And I hope I don't. But it's there in case, you know," said Wardley.

We'll be checking up on Wardley in the weeks to come.

If you want to quit smoking, the Palmetto Health Smoking Cessation Program is free. Participants meet twice a week for three weeks.

The classes include medications and counseling for free. Call 296-2273 to enroll.

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