9/5/14
County Executive, Health Commissioner Promote Free Smoking Cessation Course throughout Suffolk County
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Health Commissioner James Tomarken, MD, MPH, encourage all Suffolk County residents who smoke to sign up for Suffolk County’s Learn To Be…Tobacco Free smoking cessation program.
“Suffolk County has led the way in tobacco control and will continue to do so,” said Bellone who earlier this year signed legislation to raise the age for the sale of tobacco products to 21 beginning in 2015. “Ultimately, we hope to improve the health of the community and reduce the health-care costs associated with tobacco use.”
Suffolk County’s comprehensive Learn to Be …Tobacco Free cessation program includes educational classes, pharmaceutical support to medically-eligible participants, and continued support upon completion of the program. Approximately 18,000 individuals have participated in the county’s Learn to Be …Tobacco Free cessation program since its inception in 2000.
“In the last half century, we have seen tremendous change in attitudes and behavior concerning tobacco use, demonstrating that education and health promotion are effective in improving public health,” said Dr. Tomarken. “Our ‘Learn to Be Tobacco Free' program is one of the most successful programs available to residents who wish to quit smoking and in order to improve their lives.”
Listed below are current Learn to Be…Tobacco Free classes that are open for enrollment:
Middle Country Public Library, 575 Middle Country Road, Selden, NY
Mondays from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., September 22, 29; October 6, 20, 27; November 3, 2014
Reunion class, November 24, 2014
Contact: 585-9393 x 218
West Babylon Public Library, 211 Route 109, West Babylon, NY
Tuesdays from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., September 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28, 2014
Reunion: November 18, 2014
Contact: 669-5445
Suffolk County Health Department, 725 Veterans Highway Bldg. C928, Hauppauge, NY
Wednesdays from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., October 14, 21, 28; November 18, 25; December 2, 2014
Reunion: December 23, 2014
Contact: 853-2928
East Northport Library, 185 Larkfield Road, East Northport, NY
Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., September 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 2014
Reunion: November 6, 2014
Contact: 261-2313
Riverhead Library, 330 Court Street, Riverhead, NY
Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 2014
Reunion: November 20, 2014
Contact: 727-3228
Support groups meet at 5:30 on the first Wednesday of every month in Hauppauge, and the third Wednesday of every month in Riverhead, for those who have completed a full program (six weeks) of smoking cessation classes.
To find out about classes near you, call 853-4017or visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices/PreventiveMedicine/OfficeofHealthEducation/SmokingCessation/CessationClasses.aspx
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