Long Info
Long County Tobacco-Free Campaign: Addicted to Living, Committed to Quitting
Long County has a rich, proud history and a bright, promising future. Unfortunately, it also has the highest rate of lung cancer deaths in the Coastal Health District which covers Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long and Glynn Counties. These deaths are very much preventable and one of the most effective ways to prevent the development of lung cancer in the community is to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.
Long County has been chosen by the State Tobacco Use Prevention Program to participate in the Tobacco-Related Health Disparities Project. The purpose of the project is to build a Long County-specific tobacco prevention movement that will identify people at high risk for tobacco use and offer the community tobacco prevention and cessation resources.
Through this project the following community groups have been identified to be at high risk for tobacco use:
• Those who are unemployed
• Those who are "uncoupled" (divorced or separated)
• Young adults (ages 25-45)
• Older youth (12-17)
• Young males (particularly for smokeless tobacco)
By conducting focus groups, we found out that Long County youth are bombarded with pro-tobacco messages in the media; that tobacco use among county youth happens every day and everywhere (including before, during and after school); and that adults need more tools, resources and methods to help them quit using tobacco.
In response to these findings, the Coastal Health District/Long County Health Department partnered with the Long County Family Connection Partnership's Youth Advisory Council to create the "Addicted to Living, Committed to Quitting" media campaign. This campaign is designed to get the word out about the adverse health consequences of tobacco use and to share information on how to quit through a series of ads, posters, videos and a billboard that will feature local youth and adults.
(Click here to see one of the ads featuring a member of the Long County Youth Advisory Council: Anthony Bryant ad)
The Long County Health Department will begin offering FREE monthly Fresh Start smoking cessation classes in April 2011. Also, while supplies last, uninsured residents in the Coastal Health District (including Long County residents) are eligible for a free 30-day supply of either the nicotine patches or gum.
We know quitting smoking is hard. And we want to help.
Addicted to Living Committed to Quitting.
For more information call: 912.545.2107, ext. 233.
April Freshstart Smoking Cessation Classes
The Long County Health Department will hold Freshstart smoking cessation classes
on April 4, 5, and 6. All classes will be held from noon - 1 p.m. at the Long County Health Department located at 584 North Macon Street in Ludowici. You must attend all three sessions to complete the course.
The class size is limited and registration is requested.
To download the registration form as a Word document, click here: Registration Form for Freshstart Classes
To download the registration form as a PDF, click here: Registration Form for Freshstart Classes
Please send in your registration via fax or e-mail:
Fax: 912.644.5220
E-mail: cpgibson@dhr.state.ga.us
About Freshstart
Freshstart is the American Cancer Society's smoking cessation program. It is designed to equip tobacco users with the tools they will need to quit for good. Freshstart classes cover topics including stress managment, skills for coping with cravings, the benefits of quitting smoking, methods of quitting smoking, and avoiding a return to smoking.