Many people decide that the new year is a good time to quit smoking, but any time is a good time to quit. There are several ways a person can go about quitting smoking, but having support makes all the difference. That’s why the Putnam County Department of Health is offering Freedom from Smoking, an evidence-based smoking-cessation group program from the American Lung Association. Alexa Contreras has been the primary facilitator for the 7-week course since 2018, in addition to her work in several other programs. Keep reading to find out more about Ms. Contreras and her work at the health department.

What is your favorite part of working at the health department?

All of it!  I am not kidding—ask anyone. I love that my day can change at any given moment, from someone requesting an HIV test to following up on a positive Dengue lab report. I feel very fortunate to work with so many talented coworkers and in an environment where you feel supported by your supervisor and coworkers.  

Is there a particularly rewarding experience you’d like to share?

In the years that we have held our smoking cessation group, I am always extremely proud of all the participants. As the classes progress, you can see the change in their mindset and digging in a little deeper to reach and pull out that confidence they already had. It’s wonderful to see how the program empowers them to make the healthy lifestyle change they want. I always feel both happiness and sadness when a class ends because I become so invested in their success.

What does your day-to-day work look like?

Every day is a mix of working in communicable diseases investigations, HIV counseling and testing, facilitating our smoking cessation program, attending health fairs, and presenting at community events, as well as doing community outreach to publicize all the various clinics and events run by the health department and nursing division. 

What do you wish the public knew about your job?

Public Health encompasses so many fields and it’s not a cookie cutter career, but very rewarding.  There is a lot of great work done behind the scenes, and the community is always amazed at how many services we offer as a health department.  I wish more individuals could know all the services we provide and take advantage of everything we have to offer them.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Every experience in life is a learning lesson—positive or negative. You only take what brings you joy, helps you grow, and teaches you something new.  

What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?

Public Health is ever changing. Be patient and know it’s all in the interest of the health of the whole community.

Every day is an opportunity to learn something new and I never assume I know everything.

Stay Positive. It’s so important to have a positive attitude. Even when you are having a really, really bad day, there is always at least one thing in your day you can find that makes you smile.

Most of your fears never materialize. A lot of times we worry about imaginary events, situations that never happen!

Freedom From Smoking offers a systematic approach to quitting smoking that has worked for hundreds of thousands of people. The next session begins February 12, meeting weekly for seven weeks on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. In the second week, Monday, February 19 is Presidents’ Day so the class will meet on Tuesday, February 20. In the fourth week, there will be two classes, with an added one on Wednesday, March 6. The last class will be held Monday, March 25.

The program is offered at no cost to the participants, and free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) will be available as long as supplies last.  Registration is required and can be completed at pcdohfreedomfromsmoking2024.eventbrite.com.

Additional resources for quitting smoking:

• https://nysmokefree.com/
• lung.org/ffs
• Call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487)