This November, thousands of smokers across the country will start their journey toward a smoke-free life during the Great American Smokeout. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, this event challenges people to quit tobacco for a day and hopefully longer. Prevention specialists at Compass Mark work to make sure that everyone in Lancaster County and Lebanon County has the tools they need to live a healthy and productive life.
That’s why Compass Mark is working to reduce tobacco use. In fact, thanks in part to Compass Mark’s work, the percentage of high school students in Lancaster and County and Lebanon Counties who have tried cigarettes has declined steadily over the last decade.
However, according to the American Cancer Society, nearly 38 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world. It has been proven to lead to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body, according to the Center for Disease Control. In fact, smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths.
If you or a loved one smoke and are considering quitting, you don’t have to take this journey alone. If you’re looking for help for yourself or a loved one, lean on the team at Compass Mark. Compass Mark aims to build healthy communities, prevent drug abuse and provide resources for addiction treatment and recovery. Compass Mark can support your journey and connect you with treatment centers, support groups and other resources to help you quit smoking.
So, where should you start? Consider these local options.
Lebanon County
Lebanon Family Health Services
Lebanon Family Health Services offers Freedom from Smoking® (FFS) group classes FREE in your workplace for those who wish to be tobacco-free. The FFS curriculum has been updated to include those who wish to quit cigarettes, chew tobacco, pipe smoking and vaping. Also available at their downtown location is Freedom from Smoking® for Pregnant Women.
Wellspan Health
A full range of tobacco-cessation programs are offered to Lebanon County residents through Wellspan Health. Programs include Freedom from Smoking® and a self-guided quit program. Call (717) 270-7759 to learn about their free services.
Lancaster County
Nicotine Anonymous – Butt Kickers Group
Nicotine Anonymous is a non-profit, 12-step fellowship of men and women helping each other live nicotine-free lives. The local group meets at the Akron Church of the Brethren on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Contact Karen (717) 773-1302 for more information.
Lancaster General Health Classes and Consultations
Lancaster General Health also provides some great resources for those looking to quit smoking. Try the LGH Freedom from Smoking® Group Classes. This free program was developed by the American Lung Association and has helped thousands of smokers quit. You can also participate in One-on-One Quit Tobacco Counseling if you need more personalized help. These free one-on-one 30-minute consultations with a counselor will focus on developing a personalized quit plan.
Access More Community Resources
To learn more about other resources available in our community, please contact Compass Mark’s Information & Referral Team. We offer anonymous, confidential support around topic such as:
- Alcohol, drug or gambling concerns for a loved one
- Treatment referrals
- 12-step meeting schedules
- Workplace drug & alcohol policy
- Local drug trends
- Prevention & intervention skills for clergy
- Prescription drug addiction, including chronic pain
- Role of drug testing
- Tobacco cessation programs
- Interventions
To speak with our team, call (717) 299-2831 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm or email Christine Weidner.