Danbury Hospital Offers Stop Smoking Classes

DANBURY –– Smoking is an addiction and responsible for contributing to the more than 400 million deaths each year in the United States, according the American Lung Association.

Danbury Hospital understands how hard it is to kick the habit, and is offering a comprehensive smoking cessation program called, “Quit Now.” The next six-week class sessions begin June 17 at Danbury Hospital. “Nicotine addiction requires a strategic approach to quitting that combats the problem from several fronts,” said Marianne Mitchell, an advanced practice registered nurse and “Quit Now” instructor. “We all know the dangers of smoking, but sometimes it requires the support of others to stop.”

“Quit Now” uses a combination of medication therapy, behavior modification, and ongoing support services to help more people quit smoking. It also provides consultation/assessment, counseling, treatment planning, group programs and a support group, according to Ms Mitchell.

Ms Mitchell recommends that parents of teenage children give extra consideration to quitting, since parents who smoke are more likely to have children who smoke. Teenagers are the largest group of new smokers, with more than 3,000 new teens starting to smoke each day. Parents can model good behavior for the children by not smoking, according to Mitchell.

Meeting for six consecutive Tuesdays, 6 to 7 pm in the Praxair Cancer Center at Danbury Hospital, “Quit Now” covers the basics of nicotine addiction, methods for quitting and behavior modification, exercise and nutrition, stress management and relaxation techniques, and relapse prevention.

“Stay Quit” is a monthly support group that meets at Danbury Hospital for graduates of Quit Now. The group helps with relapse prevention by providing ongoing support.

Cost of the “Quit Now” program is $150. For more information, or to register, call 731-8732. Arrangements also can be made for work-site programs at area corporations or individual sessions.