{"id":88646,"date":"2026-03-28T06:40:33","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T12:40:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=88646"},"modified":"2026-03-28T06:40:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T12:40:33","slug":"free-program-helps-hispanic-man-quit-smoking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/free-program-helps-hispanic-man-quit-smoking\/","title":{"rendered":"Thinking about quitting smoking? A free program is helping Hispanics quit for good."},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Jesus
Jesus Sanchez takes a 15-minute walk every day near Sloan\u2019s Lake in Denver, an activity that helps curb his cravings for cigarettes. Walking more also helps Jesus feel more energetic. Photo: Ana Gretchen Robleto, UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While battling advanced throat cancer at age 80, Rosalio Sanchez pleaded with his son to give up the addictive habit that had harmed both men.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you smoking? Don\u2019t smoke, mijo,\u201d Rosalio said to his son, Jesus Sanchez, who is now 68.<\/p>\n

Mijo is a loving term among Hispanics \u2014 especially those with Mexican heritage. It comes from the words \u201cmi hijo,\u201d which means \u201cmy son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thanks to great medical care, Jesus\u2019 dad lived for several years with his cancer. He died three years ago at age 93. But his longtime wish that his son would give up cigarettes stuck with Jesus all of these years.<\/p>\n

For most of his adult life, Jesus has wanted to quit smoking. He\u2019s eager to improve his health and honor his dad. But nicotine is highly addictive, so it\u2019s very tough to stop on your own.<\/p>\n

Now, for the first time in his life, Jesus is hopeful that he\u2019ll succeed. That\u2019s because he\u2019s getting free help and access to essential tools to help him stop smoking.<\/p>\n

Free help from a counselor who calls to check in on him every week<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Every Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., Jesus receives a call from Leslie Loya-Arias.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s a bilingual specialist in tobacco and nicotine treatment at UCHealth\u00b4s Smoking Cessation Program<\/a>, a free program designed to help people quit smoking for good. The program provides culturally appropriate counseling and treatment in Spanish for Hispanic patients.<\/p>\n

Jesus enjoys speaking to Loya-Arias as he sits on the balcony of his apartment, which overlooks Sloan\u2019s Lake in west Denver.<\/p>\n

Jesus tells Loya-Arias how he\u2019s feeling, how his week is going and describes the progress he\u2019s making as he works toward quitting smoking \u2014 a habit that has been part of his daily life for 41 years.<\/p>\n

Jesus has been getting help for two months.<\/p>\n

\u201cLoya-Arias calls me every week, at the same time,\u201d Jesus said.<\/p>\n

He counts on hearing from her, and these calls now are part of his routine. So are daily walks around the lake that help distract him from the desire to smoke.<\/p>\n

Expanding access to smoking cessation resources to promote healthier communities<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the U.S, Hispanics who want to quit smoking have a harder time getting help than other people, according to medical experts at the American Lung Association.<\/a><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why leaders at UCHealth are providing culturally appropriate smoking cessation services in both Spanish and English to support improved health in the Hispanic community.<\/p>\n

Cigarette smoking is the No. 1 cause of preventable deaths in the U.S.<\/a>, according to experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018We’re being intentional in terms of addressing content and services that appeal to our Hispanic communities and patients who want to quit smoking,\u2019\u2019 said Yesenia Trevizo, supervisor of UCHealth\u2019s Tobacco and Nicotine Treatment Program.<\/p>\n

A health wake-up moment<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Back when Jesus\u2019 father encouraged him to stop smoking, his words served as a wake-up call. Jesus\u2019 dad had to speak to him through a device called a tracheostomy. Doctors had to cut a hole in Rosalio’s windpipe and cut out part of his larynx to make it easier for him to breathe.<\/p>\n

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing throat cancer.<\/p>\n

Jesus long has been aware of the dangers of smoking cigarettes. What he didn\u2019t know was that there was free help for people who wanted to quit. And his chances of stopping smoking were far higher if he received support rather than trying to quit on his own.<\/p>\n

A conscious decision to quit smoking for good <\/strong><\/h2>\n

On Dec. 4 of last year, Jesus went to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital<\/a> for help with an infected tooth. To help his tooth heal, doctors said Jesus needed to stop smoking.<\/p>\n

He thought to himself, \u201cIf I\u2019ve already gone so many days without smoking, I might as well keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also learned about UCHealth\u2019s programs to help people quit smoking, and soon, Jesus was getting help from Loya-Arias.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met Jesus through a referral within the UCHealth system. He was identified as someone who could benefit from tobacco treatment and was referred to our program for counseling and resources,\u201d Loya-Arias said.<\/p>\n

Along with regular counseling, patients can also access what\u2019s known as \u201cnicotine replacement therapy,\u201d which includes tools such as patches and gum that deliver small amounts of nicotine without the toxins found in cigarettes.<\/p>\n

A life built on resilience\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jesus has nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.<\/p>\n

In November of 1997, his wife of more than 25 years was diagnosed with heart failure. She underwent surgery to implant a pacemaker \u2014 a small generator placed under the skin \u2014 with leads threaded through a vein to the heart to regulate its rhythm. Sadly, she passed away on March 30, 1999, when she was just 39. (Learn more about heart disease as the No. 1 killer of Hispanic women, and it\u2019s largely preventable<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Jesus moved from Texas to Colorado in November 2008.<\/p>\n

Since his wife passed away, cigarettes have been his companions and part of his daily routine, which begins at 6 a.m.<\/p>\n

Successfully quitting smoking involves identifying triggers and changing the behaviors associated with them.<\/p>\n

Jesus’ morning routine, centered around drinking his coffee and smoking a cigarette, is one trigger, said Loya-Arias, his smoking cessation counselor.<\/p>\n

“The hardest part for me about trying to quit smoking is that I like to drink my coffee and have a cigarette in the mornings,” Jesus said.<\/p>\n

That habit has been tough to break, but he is trying.<\/p>\n

He now knows how to mitigate that trigger, something he learned in counseling sessions.<\/p>\n

In the past, he smoked between 6 and 7 cigarettes a day. Now the craving to smoke only hits him when he\u2019s having his coffee. He\u2019s working to interrupt the trigger to smoke. During the rest of the day, he keeps himself busy enough that he doesn\u2019t miss smoking cigarettes.<\/p>\n

Now retired, Jesus has more time to focus on his health. He spent his life working on farms, in factories and at Taco Bell, where he worked for nine years.<\/p>\n

Breaking harmful habits: Why is it so hard to quit smoking, and how can you overcome the cravings? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

About 70% of smokers<\/a> report that they would like to quit. But like Jesus, they struggle to quit.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s so helpful to have support.<\/p>\n

“The UCHealth Smoking Cessation Program<\/a> is designed to serve any patient who uses tobacco or nicotine, regardless of their readiness to quit. Patients may be actively trying to quit, considering quitting, reducing nicotine or tobacco use, or simply seeking education and support,” Trevizo said.<\/p>\n

Jesus is building new habits for a healthier lifestyle.<\/p>\n

He takes a 15-minute walk every day when the urge to smoke threatens to make him relapse.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose 15 minutes \u2014 as the doctors say \u2014 are better than nothing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In the apartment building for older adults where he lives in the City of Edgewater, he takes the elevator down to the street level to go for his walk. As he encounters his neighbors, they greet him warmly. One of them told him she was going to bake banana bread and would bring him a slice later.<\/p>\n

“Doing a morning walk whenever they experience that first craving in the morning is a behavioral tool. We educate patients about these techniques. These tools help them break the habit of reaching for a cigarette,” Loya-Arias said.<\/p>\n

“In my experience, changing the routine \u2014 as Jesus did \u2014 is very important when trying to quit smoking. If they’re smoking in the morning \u2014 with coffee \u2014 it is helpful for them to change their morning routine. So, whether that’s switching from coffee to a different beverage that won’t link them to a cigarette or replacing that habit with a healthy behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 neighbors, his community and his family are very important to him. The residents support one another. This community helps him feel supported.<\/p>\n

Quitting smoking requires a shift in mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The mind is often described as incredibly powerful, and clinical studies<\/a> confirm that we can choose to change our behaviors.<\/p>\n

Jesus has found that staying busy is very helpful.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to keep your mind occupied with other things if you want to quit smoking,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

A shift in perspective about addictions and focusing on improving health can help people overcome addictive behaviors.<\/p>\n

This approach moves away from a negative focus that sees addiction as insurmountable toward a mindset centered on the transformative power of the human spirit.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople who smoke say that smoking calms your nerves, but that\u2019s a myth,\u201d Jesus said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t change anything if you smoke.\u201d<\/p>\n

The addictive power of nicotine simply makes people want to keep smoking cigarette after cigarette.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour body, your system, due to nicotine addiction, dictates that at certain times you want to smoke,\u201d Jesus said. \u2018\u2018With determination and support, you can overcome this.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Now that Jesus is giving up cigarettes, he feels better.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore quitting smoking, I used to feel dizzy. Maybe it was high blood pressure, I cut down on cigarettes, and I feel better,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

People who smoke may feel dizzy because nicotine and carbon monoxide decrease oxygen levels and interfere with blood circulation, affecting the nervous system and the inner ear.<\/p>\n

Jesus also can breathe better and is more fit.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I can walk longer,\u201d he said. \u201cIn the past \u2014 with cigarettes \u2014 I could only take a few steps and would feel short of breath. Now I don\u2019t feel that anymore. I want to do more. I would like to get a bike and start cycling, which is also good exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Culturally and linguistically appropriate resources for Hispanics \u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanic White people to receive support to stop tobacco use, to have knowledge of existing smoking cessation resources, to participate in tobacco cessation programs or to utilize pharmacotherapy to stop smoking, according to medical experts at the American Lung Association.<\/a><\/p>\n

Loya-Arias has noticed that her Hispanic patients have less information than others.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018I’ve noticed with my patients that all of them understand that smoking is harmful. But there are many educational gaps. For example, (there is less) knowledge about the chemicals found in cigarettes and resources available to quit smoking,\u2019\u2019 Loya-Arias said.<\/p>\n

Jesus is very happy that he got help, and he hopes others will reach out for assistance too.<\/p>\n

Having access to counseling in Spanish has been a big help.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow the programs have bilingual staff, and that\u2019s really good,\u201d Jesus said.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie
Leslie Loya-Arias, left, and Yesenia Trevizo provide free help to Hispanic people and Spanish speakers who want to quit smoking. Photo by Yesenia Trevizo, UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To support Hispanic patients and communities in overcoming tobacco dependency, culturally and linguistically appropriate resources are key components of the smoking cessation programs.<\/p>\n

“Follow-up is an essential part of the program. This includes one-on-one support, goal setting, relapse prevention strategies, and coordination with clinical providers as needed,” Loya-Arias said.<\/p>\n

The counselors also connected Jesus with another smoking cessation program called Ways to Quit<\/a> (D\u00e9jeloYa<\/a>)<\/em>, which provides him with tools such as nicotine patches at no cost. The combination of counseling and follow-up services is key.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018Ongoing contact helps maintain motivation, address challenges as they arise and adjust nicotine cessation strategies over time,\u2019\u2019 Loya-Arias said.<\/p>\n

UCHealth staff members also have translated educational materials into Spanish to support Hispanic patients in their efforts to quit smoking.<\/p>\n

\u201cMedications and nicotine replacement therapy are typically processed through insurance when available,\u201d Trevizo said. \u201cFor patients without insurance or with cost barriers, we actively support access by identifying low-cost medication options, manufacturer savings programs, cost-plus pharmacies, and other financial assistance strategies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Identifying cost-effective approaches and creating personalized care plans that account for a patient\u2019s specific conditions and resources are part of a patient-centered model.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018When appropriate, we also guide patients toward external resources \u2014 specifically for medication support \u2014 while continuing to provide ongoing, individualized coaching through UCHealth,\u201d Trevizo said.<\/p>\n

Among Hispanics in the U.S, lack of trust in the health care system can be a barrier<\/a> to accessing care.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018Culturally competent care is important because it builds trust and allows patients to feel understood and supported in a way that aligns with their values, language and health goals,\u2019\u2019 Loya-Arias said.<\/p>\n

\n

Transforming lives, one day at a time<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable death in Colorado<\/a> and in the U.S. Tobacco use increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease and blood clots. Nicotine products like electronic devices (vaping) or oral nicotine pouches cause serious health risks as well.<\/p>\n

Quitting tobacco and nicotine products improves health.<\/p>\n

UCHealth offers free nicotine cessation programs<\/a>. Reach out to get help.<\/p>\n

In metro Denver:<\/p>\n