Hospital for Special Care to Offer Specialized Smoking Cessation Program

Eight-session "Freedom from Smoking" program begins September 11

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (August 28, 2012) – Hospital for Special Care [1] (HSC) will offer a smoking cessation program delivered by an American Lung Association-trained facilitator as part of the Association's Freedom From Smoking® Program [2] beginning September 11. Registration begins August 27 and is open to adults 18 and over.

"The American Lung Association's program is the gold standard for smoking cessation programs nationally," said Elyse Carroll, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator, HSC. "Because most people know that smoking is dangerous, this program will teach adult smokers the skills and techniques they need to focus exclusively on how to quit, and more importantly, to stay quit."

The eight-session Freedom From Smoking® clinic will be held in the Respiratory Care Conference Room at HSC from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on: Tuesday, September 11; Tuesday, September 18; Tuesday, September 25; Tuesday, October 2; Thursday, October 4; Tuesday, October 9; Tuesday, October 16 and Tuesday, October 23.

"The program will take participants through several lessons first that will help them transition to prepare to quit before the actual Quit Day happens," Carroll added.

Launched in 1975, Freedom From Smoking® clinics are held in a small group setting where participants can receive personalized attention. At the same time, individuals benefit from the support of their peers who are going through the same stages at the same time. The current edition of the curriculum includes the latest research about nicotine replacement therapy (e.g. gum, inhalers, patches, lozenges and nasal spray) and other smoking cessation medications on the market.

HSC's Freedom From Smoking® program and materials will be $100 per participant. Pre-registration and attendance of all eight sessions is required. To register or obtain more information on the program, please call Elyse Carroll at 860.832.6256 or visit www.hfsc.org [1].