McHenry
County Department of Health (MCDH) joins the World Health Organization in
recognizing May 31 as World No Tobacco Day. Tobacco use is the leading
preventable cause of death. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke,
lung diseases (including emphysema, bronchitis, and chronic airway
obstruction), and diabetes.
Residents
who want to quit smoking can sign up for a seven-week quit smoking class
offered by MCDH and Centegra Health System. The next class begins
Wednesday, July 9 from 6pm-7:30pm at Centegra McHenry Hospital, 4201 W Medical
Center Drive in McHenry. 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. MCDH reports between 70%-75% of class
participants have quit smoking by the end of the program, when used in
combination with smoking cessation medication.
A $25
course fee, payable at the first class, is refundable if all sessions are
attended. Class members will also receive a free 3-day pass to Centegra’s
Health Bridge Fitness Center. To register, call MCDH at 815-334-4525 or
1-877-CENTEGRA. To speak to a counselor, call 1-866-QUIT-YES.
