McHenry County Health Department wants to help you quit smoking

Submitted by McHenry County Department of Health

McHenry County Department of Health and Centegra Health System will offer both morning and evening quit smoking classes for adults in January. Residents can attend the seven-week classes on either Wednesdays, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 8 at Huntley Health Center, 10350 Haligus Road in Huntley or on Tuesdays, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. starting Jan. 14 Huntley Health Bridge, 10450 Algonquin Road, also in Huntley. A $25 course fee, payable at the first class, is refundable if all sessions are attended. Class members will also receive a free three-day pass to Centegra’s Health Bridge Fitness Center.

Classes will teach practical ways to end nicotine addiction through group support and behavior modification. It will also review nicotine replacement products that are currently on the market. Instruction is provided by MCDH staff that is trained in the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® program. This program is considered the “gold standard” and has helped tens of thousands of smokers quit over the last 30 years. 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.

MCDH reports between 70 and 75 percent of class participants have quit smoking by the end of the program, when used in combination with smoking cessation medication. Quitting smoking can add up to measurable savings. i.e. $2,500 a year for those who smoke one-pack a day as well as the money saved on health care costs.

For more information, and to register, call (877) CENTEGRA, or visit www.mcdh.info. To speak with a counselor immediately, call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at (866) QUIT-YES.