By Toni Rocha
For StatelineBusiness

New World explorers didn't know what they started when they brought tobacco back as part of their treasure. Tobacco use escalated from that point on until today when, despite adverse publicity and growing health concerns, it remains big business.

At the same time, a sharper focus on helping smokers quit has engendered a variety of addiction cessation clinics. Regardless of whether the desire to quit stems from laws prohibiting smoking in public places, growing personal health concerns or the supportive efforts of employers, the number of people seeking help is definitely on the rise.

"The two times during the year when we see a marked increase in inquiries as well as new patients is January and November," said Karen L. Dobson, licensed acupuncturist, certified herbalist and owner of Midwest Acupuncture and Pain Treatment Center in Beloit. "In November, the surge is almost always related to the Great American Smoke-Out."

Dobson added that it would be difficult to determine if this January's increase was because of New Year's resolutions or Illinois' new law prohibiting smoking in all public places. But with Wisconsin considering a smoking regulation law of its own, she said it would not surprise her if the number of people seeking smoking cessation help increased in the near future.

"Most of those who contact us have wanted to quit smoking for a long time," Dobson said. "Sometimes it takes a special event to spur their resolve."

Midwest Acupuncture addresses smoking and all other addictive habits with a broad-screen program. Not just acupuncture but acupressure, lasers, herbal infusions, ear tacks and other techniques are employed simultaneously to help each patient overcome their nicotine addiction.

"Many have told me that they stopped smoking that day," Dobson added. "The treatments work just like turning off a light switch. They turn off the urge to smoke long enough to help smokers get over that hurdle and past what has kept them stuck in the same routine."

Quitting smoking, or any other addictive habit, is not a mind-over-matter issue, Dobson explained. Acupuncture, laser and ear tacks help the body turn off cravings. Heroin and cocaine users are often referred to acupuncture and laser treatment facilities by the courts as terms of their sentences. The combined treatments detoxify the body regardless of which addiction is being addressed.

"The acupuncture and laser treatment program brings the patient's body back into balance and health," Dobson added. "Herbals help flush toxins from the body, improving the function of the liver and other vital organs. Taken all together, the treatment plan aims at correction the physical aspects of addiction cessation."

If a patient can refrain from smoking for two weeks, Dobson said they were more likely to be smoke-free for the rest of their lives. However, Dobson cautioned that her treatments focus on the physical. If the patient does not also address the emotional or external stress elements that also may be part of their desire to smoke, they may ultimately need to come back for additional treatment.

The increased focus on smoking cessation is not just good business for Midwest Acupuncture and similar clinics. Farsighted businesses are increasingly encouraging their employees to stop smoking for obvious reasons. Among these is attrition as the result of poor health; smokers increase their odds of suffering from lung, throat and mouth cancers, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and a host of related respiratory diseases that make it impossible for the employee to continue working. Add to this the time and production that is lost through sick days and leaves.

Some insurance companies offer discounted rates for businesses whose employees don't smoke. The cost of paying for addiction cessation treatments can more than offset what companies lose when employees suffer from smoking related illnesses. Taken altogether, helping smokers quit makes good business sense regardless of the incentive.