Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced a series of upcoming youth vaping cessation classes, which are part of the County’s comprehensive vaping prevention and awareness program that was launched last year. Additionally, the Department of Health Services will be holding a number of tobacco cessation classes.
“The dangers of teen vaping are growing more apparent everyday as teenagers continue to show up in emergency rooms with severe lung damage,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “An entire generation of children are facing a serious risk of becoming addicted to nicotine and we need to continue to do everything we can to curb this epidemic.”
Dr. James Tomarken, Commissioner of Suffolk County Department of Health Services, said: “We know more than ever what works and what doesn't in terms of cessation. Studies have shown that those who try to break their addiction with behavioral support, such as our cessation classes, are more likely to be successful than those who try to do so without support.”
Last year, County Executive Bellone and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services piloted Vape Out! a prevention and intervention program, in response to the record numbers of students who were vaping on school grounds. The Suffolk County Office of Health Education offered the three-pronged Vape Out pilot program in four school districts. The program comprises peer education, an alternative to suspension enforcement, and community forums.
In 2019, Suffolk County health educators have presented 401 vaping and tobacco prevention and awareness programs to 21,020 middle and high school students, parents, teachers and professionals. Six peer education vaping prevention trainings were presented to 111 high school students who then presented vaping prevention information to another 2,938 younger students, and the county received 58 requests from school districts for the Vape Out educational program.
Last fall, County Executive Bellone expanded the program to include free community youth vaping cessation classes. The Vape Out Youth Cessation Program consists of four or five sessions in which participants interactively explore the health outcomes of the choices they make through discussion, video and group activities. Participants also practice healthy behavioral responses as a substitute for vaping.
New Vape Out Youth Vaping Cessation classes are scheduled at the Babylon Town Hall, Brookhaven Town Hall, and Northwell Health in Bay Shore. Registration is required by calling the Office of Health Education at 631-853-3162.
Upcoming VAPE OUT! PROGRAM: Youth Vaping Cessation Program Classes
Babylon Town Hall
200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757
Dates: January 15, January 22, January 29, February 5, and February 12
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Contact: Office of Health Education: 631-853-3162
Brookhaven Town Hall
One Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11713
Dates: January 28; February 4, February 11, and February 25
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Contact: Office of Health Education: 631-853-3162
Northwell Health-Southside Hospital
1963 Union Blvd., Bay Shore, NY 11706
Dates: February 24, March 2, March 9, and March 16
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Contact: Office of Health Education: 631-853-3162
Additionally, Suffolk County’s Office of Health Education has been facilitating tobacco cessation services through its Learn to Be …Tobacco Free program for 19 years, serving nearly 20,000 residents. The program is a six-week course that uses a comprehensive approach in the treatment of tobacco product dependence. Educational and behavioral strategies are provided to assist individuals in developing a quit plan to eliminate the use of tobacco products or electronic nicotine delivery systems, also called ENDS. The program also provides over-the counter medications for a fee to participants who are medically eligible. The program is conducted in locations throughout the county. Further details are provided below. Registration for the program is open until the second week of each session.
Upcoming Learn to Be…Tobacco Free Classes
Connetquot Public Library
760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia
Dates: Monday, February 24; March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Reunion: April 20, 2020
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Debora 631-853-2928
Hampton Bays Public Library
52 Ponquogue Avenue, Hampton Bays
Dates: Tuesday, March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28
Reunion: May 19, 2020
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Debora 631-853-2928
Stony Brook Specialty Care
500 Commack Road, Commack
Dates: Thursday, January 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20
Reunion: March 12, 2020
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Debora 631-853-2928
St. Catherine of Siena Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
52 Route 25A, Smithtown
Dates: Thursday, March 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16
Reunion: May 7, 2020
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Linda 631-853-3187
John T. Mather Hospital
75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson
Dates: Thursday, March 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23
Reunion: May 14, 2020
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Debora 631-853-2928
Visit Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ website for more information about our tobacco cessation program and facts about electronic cigarettes, their health effects and the risks of using e-cigarettes.
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