Celebrating One Year Smoke-Free: From Addiction to Empowerment

It was 11:59 p.m. the night before Jim Quinn Jr.’s 59th birthday when he finally decided to quit smoking. He stubbed out his last cigarette, threw out all his supplies, washed his hands, rinsed out his mouth and declared, “I am done.” Jim had been smoking three packs a day for 44 years until starting Mosaic’s Tobacco Cessation Program.

Now, a year later, Jim celebrated his 60th birthday with an ice-cream cake and his mom and dad by his side. His dad—a man of rare praise and the only other family member to have kicked the habit—told his son he was proud.

Jim, a Prineville resident for 26 years and a Mosaic patient for over 13 years, grew up in a “smoking family” and started smoking at age 14. He began his journey to quit in December 2022 after Family Nurse Practitioner Linda Hatch referred him to Mosaic’s tobacco cessation classes.

“I was spending an ungodly amount on cigarettes,” said Jim. “It was unhealthy and I didn’t even enjoy it.”

What began as group classes transitioned into one-on-one consultations with behavioral health manager Jessica Peacock, who “held his hand” throughout the process and gave him the encouragement and strategies he needed.

The support helped Jim cut back to a few cigarettes a day, until eventually Jessica encouraged him to fully quit by his goal date—his birthday. Jim decided it was “now or never.”

“Jessica taught me that I was worthy and capable,” he said. “When given the right tools—and I believe Mosaic is the right tool without a doubt—it can be done.”

And the effects a year later have been resounding.

“Quitting smoking made me start taking better care of myself all around,” Jim said. “From eating better foods to being healthier physically, psychologically and spiritually. It’s a ripple effect.”

Smoking was the last hurdle of addictions that Jim has overcome in his lifetime, including drinking, drugs and gambling.

“It’s a great achievement and I don’t wear it like a badge but I’m very proud of myself,” he said. “I’ve lived most of my life with very low self-esteem, so to be able to do these things really has boosted my confidence.”

Congratulations, Jim, from all of us at Mosaic. We are proud to have been your partner on this journey and to celebrate your incredible achievement!

Mosaic patients have access to smoking cessation classes and clinical pharmacy support through their Mosaic provider and can also see a behavioral health specialist for individual support. Group classes span a four-week program and include education around nicotine dependence, the stages of change, planning and preparing for tobacco cessation, relapse prevention and more.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (gum, lozenges and patches) is available at no cost to patients and non-patients from any of Mosaic’s three pharmacy locations.