NOVEMBER 30, 2015
Pat Machir, Sr. Community Outreach Worker for the Lawrence County Health Department recently attended a training to become a facilitator for the “Freedom From Smoking” tobacco cessation program, sponsored by the American Lung Association. The Health Department plans to begin a “Freedom From Smoking” class for interested Lawrence Countians after the first of the year. The following article, which was taken from the ALA’s website, describes the program.
About Freedom From Smoking
The American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® (FFS) program is for adults who are ready to quit smoking. Because most people know that smoking is dangerous to their health, the program focuses almost exclusively on how to quit, not why to quit.
How The Program Works
The Freedom From Smoking® group clinic consists of eight sessions. It is delivered by a Lung Association-trained facilitator in a small-group setting (usually eight to 10 people), so participants 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 curriculum includes the latest research about nicotine replacement therapy and other smoking cessation medications.
Each clinic session uses techniques based on pharmacological and psychological principles and methods designed to help smokers gain control over their behavior. Because no single cessation technique is effective for all smokers, the program includes a comprehensive variety of evidence-based cessation techniques.
Program materials are available in English and Spanish.
The Freedom From Smoking® self-help manual complements Freedom From Smoking® group clinic lessons. It provides smokers with additional reinforcement, motivation and information they need to quit. The workbook format gets smokers involved as they customize the book for their own reasons and motivations to quit, thus making it more effective.
Why Use Freedom From Smoking
Since it was first introduced over 30 years ago, the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® program has helped over a million Americans end their addiction to nicotine and begin new smokefree lives. Freedom From Smoking® was ranked the most effective smoking cessation program in a study by Fordham University Graduate School of Business.
Freedom From Smoking® is based on proven addiction and behavior change models. The program offers a structured, systematic approach to quitting. Its positive messaging emphasizes the benefits of better health. Because no single cessation technique is effective for all smokers, the program includes a comprehensive variety of evidence-based cessation techniques.
Evaluation studies have shown that individuals who participate in Freedom From Smoking®:
* Experience immediate health benefits
* Learn to address the physical, mental and social aspects of their addiction.
* Are six times more likely to be smokefree one year later than those who quit on their own.
* When used in combination with smoking cessation medication, up to 60 percent of participants report having quit smoking by the end of the program.
The benefits of providing the Freedom From Smoking® program at your workplace include:
- Reduced long-term smoking-related illness, disability and associated costs.
- Decreased absenteeism.
- Access to the knowledge and support of the American Lung Association.
For questions regarding this program or for further information about the class, please call the Health Department at (606) 638-4389, extension 58, and speak with Pat. The class time and other information will be forthcoming shortly.
www.lung.org > Stop Smoking > Join Freedom From Smoking
