For smokers looking to quit in the new year, the Clark County Health Department can provide additional support to help people reach their goal.

Health educator Angela Bereznak said the Clark County Health Department offers The American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking program starting next week, a program that gives smokers options, resources and support to stop for good.

Freedom From Smoking is the premier smoking cessation program from the American Lung Association. It helps smokers develop a plan of action that leads to a stop day. Individuals will also get the support they need to remain smoke-free for life.

The first class of the year begins at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Clark County Pharmacy, 716 Boone Ave. The cost is $5, and individuals must preregister. To register, contact Angela Bereznak at 859-744-4482 ext. 1037.

The last day to register is Tuesday, but people must have paid the fee before coming to class.

Classes are eight weeks, and individuals must attend all eight classes. Bereznak said each class lasts about 90 minutes.

Bereznak said the class is open to anyone who wants to stop smoking cigarettes or e-cigarettes as well as people who want to quit using tobacco in its other forms.

Bereznak said people don’t realize how much nicotine and other chemicals people are consuming when they smoke e-cigarettes, which is popular among teens.

Throughout the eight weeks, attendees will learn how to know if they’re ready to quit, medications that can increase their success, lifestyle changes to make quitting easier, how to prepare for quit day and coping strategies for managing stress and avoiding weight gain.

Bereznak said individuals also receive free NicoDerm CQ patches, thanks to funding from the Clark County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy.

Stopping smoking improves an individual’s health and the health of those around them.

“People don’t realize when they smoke around people, [other people] are consuming whatever the person smoking is consuming,” Bereznak said.

The rewards of becoming a nonsmoker are: blood pressure drops, pulse rate drops, ability to smell and taste enhances, the chance of heart attack decreases, and the risk of dying from lung cancer decreases.

“Even if someone has smoked for years, their health will benefit immediately,” Bereznak said.