Q: Is there one place in Arizona people can call if they want to quit smoking?

A: All you have to do is call The Arizona Smokers Helpline, 1 (800) 556-6222, for information about how to stop smoking. (The toll-free line is available only in Arizona.)

We all know that smoking can lead to diseases such as lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease. Second-hand smoke can harm your family and loved ones. When you quit smoking you give yourself and those around you the best possible chance for a healthy future.

The Helpline has three services. If you're ready to quit smoking, the Helpline offers one-on-one telephone counseling. Your counselor will help make a plan that's right for you. The Helpline can send quit kits and self-help information. And Helpline staff can refer you to the closest quitting program in your area.

Call the Helpline anytime Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., to get your questions answered. If you call after hours, leave a message and a Helpline staff member will call you as soon as possible.

Scott Leischow, Ph.D., director of the Arizona Program for Tobacco & Nicotine Research at The University of Arizona School of Health Related Professions

Q: With monsoons on the way, what can you tell me about lightning?

A: Lightning strikes have killed more than 2,500 people in the United States over the past 20 years.

In Arizona, where lightning strikes are common during the summer monsoon season, physicians must be able to correctly identify lightning-strike victims, and people must know what to do if they find themselves in a lightning situation.

Generally, 20 million volts of electricity generally pass through a person directly struck by lightning. A person hit by lightning often is found unconscious, disoriented and/or suffering from paralysis in the extremities. Lightning-strike victims sometimes are misidentified as assault victims because of these symptoms and clothing that is in disarray or blown off.

Other signs of lightning strike are unusual-looking burns caused by a high electrical charge. Flash burns that appear to be deep sunburn and feathering, wispy, tentacle-like patterns on the skin, are the most common types of burns.

To avoid being struck by lightning when outside never stand directly under a tree. Assume a crouching position in a dry depression in the ground with some type of insulation -- like a rain poncho -- between your body and the ground.

A few facts about lightning: most lightning strikes occur in the summer in the daytime; lightning strikes men (80 percent) more often than women (20 percent); people 20-29 years old are the most likely to be struck; lightning strikes take place outdoors 95 percent of the time.

Michael Esser, M.D., Department of Surgery, The University of Arizona College of Medicine