Tobacco Cessation

YKHC is a completely Tobacco Free campus as of 2/5/2018.

Many of our patients use tobacco in various forms. Chewing tobacco is very popular here, especially smokeless tobacco. Tobacco is mixed with a spruce tree fungus called “punk ash”. The punk ash and tobacco mixed together is known as Iqmik. The punk ask allows the tobacco to enter the blood stream quickly which gives a nicotine rush almost instantly. This obviously makes it harder to quit.

Providers should ask patients about tobacco use at every visit and really encourage them to quit chewing, smoking, and/or vaping.

We have an aggressive Nicotine/Tobacco Cessation Program at YKHC. The Nicotine Cessation office is physically located on the first floor of the main hospital down Silver Hall. They can be reached at 907-543-6312.

To refer a patient, order a "Refer to Nicotine Control Internal".

• If in Bethel
  • You can have the patient directly referred to the tobacco cessation office where they will be counseled and prescriptions for patches, gum, inhalers, bupropion (Wellbutrin), or varenicline (Chantix) will be written if appropriate.
  • You will be asked to sign proposed orders by the Nicotine Cessation staff for your panel of patients, if bupropion or varenicline are selected or if the patient is pregnant (nicotine replacement therapy only).
  • If the patient is in the hospital, Nicotine Control staff may be able to enroll the patient in-person. TigerConnect to "Nicotine Control and Tobacco Prevention On Call" and check for availability.  

Feel free to prescribe any nicotine replacement the patients want, but encourage them to see the Nicotine Cessation providers to help them with support. The Nicotine Cessation providers can select the appropriate strength of nicotine replacement once they have counseled the patient.

• If the patient is underinsured or a non-beneficiary, you may want to refer them to the state Quit Line.
  • your best bet is to use the Quit Line: 1- 888-842-7848 or 1-800-Quit-Now
    • This is a State of Alaska sponsored tobacco cessation program that can all be completed over the phone and it is free.
    • They will send out free patches or other nicotine replacement products to someone who wants to quit.
    • They offer 4 telephone counseling sessions.
    • They also offer enhanced services for pregnant women and people experiencing substance use disorders and/or mental health conditions.
  • You can also refer to Nicotine Cessation in Bethel and they will call the patient.

Resources/References

• Website: https://www.ykhc.org/services/community-health-wellness/
• Tobacco Screenings (2025 PowerPoint Presentation by Vikki Galanopoulos,Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Coordinator)