Tobacco use interferes with disease treatment and recovery and is the number one preventable cause of disease and death in the U.S. Acupuncturists are collaborating with the University of Arizona Department of Family and Community Medicine on a groundbreaking study, Project Reach, to combat the problem.

As part of Project Reach, participating acupuncturists receive training and follow-up support that provides skills, tools and links to local resources to help patients quit tobacco. The training provides information about tobacco use and its physiological effects and teaches communication skills that encourage and support behavior change, rather than threatening or lecturing smokers.

Participating acupuncturists also obtain skills and knowledge to assist tobacco users and those that want to help others in their life quit tobacco. “We want to express our appreciation for these acupuncturists and recognize their efforts and commitment to being a smoking-cessation resource for the Tucson community,” said Myra Muramoto, M.D., a professor of family and community medicine and director of Project Reach.

For more information, call 520-626-9895 or email [email protected]. A directory of trained acupuncturists is available at fcm.arizona.edu/reach.