When it comes to smoking rates, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control shows that KY is 49th in nature for tobacco usage and a little over 25% of adults over the age of 18 smokes cigarettes.
Wow.
If you are among this 25%, is one of your resolutions for 2013 to quit smoking?
Or, do you have a friend or family member who wants to kick the habit?
Metro Louisville wants to help.
The Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness, in conjunction with the Kentucky Cancer program, is offering Cooper Clayton stop smoking classes all around Louisville, all year long.
The classes consist of 12 one-hour weekly sessions as well as relapse prevention to ensure participants have all the skills they need to not only quit but also to remain a non-smoker. Participants use nicotine replacement products such as the nicotine patch, gum and/or lozenges.
Participants will learn:
- How to use the nicotine replacement products;
- How to handle urges to smoke;
- How to avoid weight gain; and
- How to support and be supported by other non-smokers.
Classes, materials and even the nicotine replacement products are provided free at most classes.
Registration is required for the classes. To register, call (502) 574-STOP (7867) or send an e-mail to stopsmoking@louisvilleky.gov . In the e-mail, include your name, phone number, home address, e-mail address and the class you would like to attend.
Click here for a complete list of classes and start dates: Stop Smoking Classes .
Just to give you an idea of how often the classes are held, here are the classes for the rest of January:
January 17, 2013 - Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Family Health Center Portland, 2215 Portland Ave., 40212
January 18, 2013 - Fridays, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kentucky Cancer Program, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Resource Center, 529 S. Jackson St., 1st Floor, 40202
January 21, 2013 - Mondays, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Norton Audubon Cancer Resource Center, 2355 Poplar Level Rd., Medical Plaza West, Ste. 300, 40217
January 24, 2013 - Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness, 400 E. Gray St., Forum, 40202
January 24, 2013 - Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Catholic Enrichment Center, 3146 W. Broadway, Room C, 40211
January 28, 2013 - Mondays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Family Health Center, 2215 Portland Ave., 40212
January 28, 2013 - Mondays, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Baptist Hospital East Education Center, 2nd Floor, 4000 Kresge Way, 40207
There are classes offered every month of 2013.
What are you waiting for?
For more information on tobacco use and cessation, visit:
American Lung Association Smoking Information
CDC Tobacco Usage Information for KY
*As always, contact your family physician or a qualified health practitioner if you have questions about your specific health situation and the use of tobacco products.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock/Samuel Borges Photography
