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Nearly 70% of Americans who smoke say that they would like to quit and more than half of them report having made a quit attempt within the past year. Still, in a given year, only about 7.5% of smokers are able to successfully quit smoking. (CDC)

Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical found in all tobacco and tobacco-derived products (i.e. electronic cigarettes and vaping devices). Nicotine alters the brain’s chemistry to release more dopamine, a hormone that makes you feel good and happy. Over time, the brain begins to rely on nicotine to produce dopamine effectively and this is when nicotine becomes addictive to the user. Withdraw symptoms of nicotine addiction can include anxiety, depression, inability to sleep, inability to concentrate, fatigue, headaches and indigestion.

Most people will need some sort of support in successfully quitting tobacco. These supports can be group support or one-on-one cessation meetings, nicotine replacement therapy, or prescription medications. Freedom from Smoking is a cessation program for tobacco users who are thinking about quitting. In this program participants will decide if they are truly ready to quit, create a plan for quitting, learn what lifestyle changes can support quitting, and develop stress management and coping techniques for dealing with cravings.

The Clark County Health Department will be facilitating a Freedom from Smoking series beginning on Monday, February 6 at 5:00 PM. The group will meet each Monday for seven weeks and participants are strongly encouraged to attend each meeting. Participants will gain insight and encouragement from their peers in the meetings. Free nicotine replacement therapy- nicotine patches, lozenges, or gum- will be provided to group members to use while in the program. Registration is required for the program and a $5 fee will be charged for participant workbooks.

If individuals have more questions or would like to register for the program, they are encouraged to contact the Clark County Health Department at 859-744-1488 extension 2012 or kaylap.walton@ky.gov. The program will take place at the health department’s environmental and population health location at 273 Shoppers Drive in Winchester.