BREWSTER, NY—Putnam County residents have a chance to take their first steps, or restart their journey, toward a tobacco-free life. The Putnam County Department of Health, in partnership with the Prevention Council of Putnam, is offering residents a FREE smoking cessation program called Freedom from Smoking^®, considered the “gold standard” in quit-smoking programs. Both organizations are committed to ensuring easy accessibility of this proven-effective program, developed by experts in the field from the American Lung Association.

The eight-session, seven-week program starts on Monday evening, October 7, and runs through November 18. Each class goes from 6 to 7:30 pm and is held at the health department office at 1 Geneva Road in Brewster. Classes are scheduled on Mondays, except for two times when Monday falls on the federal holidays of Columbus Day and Veterans Day. Also, during the fourth week, in addition to the Monday, October 28^th class, which is “Quit Day,” a second session will be held on Wednesday for a 48-hour check-in.

“If you have ever wanted to quit, or have tried before but have been unsuccessful, this is the program to try,” said Alexa Contreras, a bilingual health educator at the Putnam County Department of Health, who along with Natalia Sanchez-Bahr, M.S., a prevention specialist at The Prevention Council of Putnam, are the American Lung Association-certified facilitators for the series. “Most individuals who become successful quitters have had previous attempts,” said Ms. Contreras.

“This program teaches you how to prepare to quit and make a plan to enhance your ability to ‘stay quit,’” added Ms. Sanchez-Bahr.” Many thousands of people have used it and are now living smoke-free lives.” While the classes are conducted in English, both facilitators for the upcoming sessions are bilingual. This opens the door for improved understanding and success for all, while also meeting the diverse needs of participants.

Unfortunately, over the past few years the smoking rates for Putnam residents have risen more than 80 percent. According to data collected by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the nation’s premier system of health-related telephone surveys for four decades, the rates went from 8.2 percent in 2018 to 14.7 percent in 2021. Meanwhile neighboring Westchester’s rates fell from 7.0 percent to 5.6 percent.

“Smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world, and locally it is a major and escalating health concern,” said Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, interim health commissioner. “We know that the benefits to quitting smoking are almost immediately measurable. After just 12 hours the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal. Somewhere between 2 weeks to 3 months, your circulation and lung function improve. One to two years after quitting, your risk of having a heart attack begins to drop. The importance of quitting and the effectiveness of this program are the reasons why the health department provides this program free to residents.”

The sessions start with discussions and guidance for preparing and planning to quit. Each person’s experience with quitting smoking is different, and by sharing their own experiences participants are empowered by the collective support. The Freedom from Smoking program uses proven activities and tools to help participants understand their own relationship with tobacco and how to enjoy a tobacco-free life. Nicotine replacement products (NRT) such as the patch and gum will be available, also for free, while supplies last. Using NRT is encouraged, but not required, and will be discussed in detail as part of the program.

“Some smokers feel hopeless after unsuccessful attempts at quitting,” said Ms. Contreras, “but this program recognizes these feelings, and they can be part of one’s journey to become a non-smoker. Participants are empowered to create their own path to success. Some of the strategies that participants learn—among many others—include handling stress, maintaining a healthy active lifestyle and managing their weight in their new smoke-free lifestyle.” The curriculum for the program was developed by specialists from the American Lung Association, who launched the Freedom from Smoking in 1982 and have helped a million people quit since then.

Pre-registration is required, as group size is limited. More information on the program in 40 languages can be found online at www.freedomfromsmoking.org. For more information or to pre-register, contact the Putnam County Department of Health at (845) 808-1390, ext. 43155, or visit https://PCDOHFreedomFromSmoking2024.eventbrite.com.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.gov, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.