Improving Life, One Breath at a Time®
tobacco | asthma | events | donations | volunteer | news | history | links | contact

The mission  of the American Lung Association is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Freedom From Smoking® Online Quick Navigation Links FFS Clinics Facilitator Resources Contact Us Lung Facts Lung disease is the third leading cause of death in America.  More than 4,000 West Virginians die each year -- 12 every day -- from smoking-related diseases.  Every year more than 440,000 Americans die from smoking-related illnesses.  Smoking kills more Americans annually than alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car accidents, fires and AIDS  combined. West Virginians pay $897 million a year for the direct health care costs of smoking. Every day in the US about 3,000 children start smoking; 1,000 of them will die prematurely from smoking-related diseases. West Virginia's youth smoking rate is one of the highest in the nation. 28.5 percent of the state's high school youth smoke compared to about 26 percent of adults. One in five deaths in West Virginia is related to smoking. West Virginia has the nation's fourth highest rate of smoking-related deaths. Additional resources: 1-877-966-8784  ©2006 by ALAWV, Inc. All rights reserved

Freedom From Smoking Would you like to help people kick their nicotine addiction? The American Lung Association of West Virginia is looking for a few great facilitators to help adults quit smoking.  If you meet the following qualifications, you can have a positive impact on the lives of many West Virginians who are trying to quit. If you are a non-smoker or ex-smoker of six months or more Previous experience or desire to learn how to lead a group Willing to commit to facilitate at least one (1) cessation clinic within the next year. If you would like to attend a Freedom From Smoking® Facilitator training and learn how to help others win their battle over tobacco and find their Freedom From Smoking, call or email Kelli Caseman at 1-800-LUNG-USA. Keep reading to learn about our gold standard smoking cessation program...... The American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking® (FFS) program takes a positive behavior modification approach to adult smoking cessation.  The program offers a systematic approach to quitting smoking.  Clinic leaders help smokers learn to manage stress, control weight and deal with all those situations that trigger the urge to pick up a cigarette.  The clinic is designed to provide a built in support system to help participants develop a lifelong plan to quit smoking and stay quit! How does it work? There are eight group sessions led by an expert who understands how hard it is for smokers to quit since many are addicted.  After participants quit at Session 3, they are given plenty of help to stay off cigarettes forever.  We talk about dealing with symptoms of recovery and what to do when tough times come.  Participants are given an audiotape to learn how to relax after quitting.  For most smokers, especially those who have tried to quit before, group support can make the difference in helping participants stay smoke-free.  Clinic overview: (View the list of  ongoing clinics) Orientation: Thinking About Quitting · Brief introduction to program · Preparing to quit · Informal questions and answers Session 1: On the Road to Freedom · Getting to know your smoking patterns · Are you addicted? · Health effects of smoking Session 2: Wanting to Quit · Your reasons for quitting · Building social support · Your Plan of Action Session 3: QUIT DAY! · Help and support, contracts and rewards · Panel of ex-smokers · Quitting ceremony Session 4: Winning Strategies · Symptoms of recovery and benefits of quitting · Handling stress · Reviewing your Plan to Action Session 5: The New You · Fitness and exercise · New self-image · Learning to assert yourself Session 6: Staying Off · Lifestyle changes · Weight control · Handling social situations Session 7: Let's Celebrate · Preventing relapse · Passive smoking · Graduation and celebration Interested in Attending a Clinic? Some clinics are held on an ongoing basis and others are held at advertised times.  Check out the FFS clinics page for a location near you.  Call or email Kelli at 1-800-LUNG-USA for more information. Are you pregnant?  Click here to learn more.   Quitting On Your Own In addition, we can provide assistance for those individuals who are not comfortable in a group setting or time and/or distance prevents them from being able to attend a clinic.  All of the resources below are offered free of charge.  · For smokers who have not made the commitment to quit, but would like information on quitting, we offer a Contemplation Kit upon request. · For individuals that have made that commitment, we offer a Self-help Kit to work with in the privacy of their own home. · For those that have internet access, we offer an online FFS program.  Follow the appropriate prompts to register and begin your personal program. If you need more information or have any questions about the program, please respond by using the form below.  If you already are a trained FFS facilitator and need assistance in starting a cessation clinic in your area, please feel free to contact Steve James by the form below.  He can also be reached at 1-800-LUNG-USA.   Facilitators, click here to order participant packets when you are approximately one month before Orientation.  Name  Phone  E-mail  Comments or questions

tobacco | asthma | events | donations | volunteer | news | history | links | contact