Tobacco Free Thurston County, a program of TOGETHER!, joins the American Cancer Society and millions of former smokers nationwide in celebrating the Great American Smokeout, said Patricia Coloma, TOGETHER! program director.
According to Coloma, 21 percent of adults and 16 percent of high school seniors in Thurston County smoke cigarettes.
The Great American Smokeout is a day a year designated to raise awareness that there is help available.
Thousands of people quit or reduce their tobacco use on Great American Smokeout day with the support and camaraderie of people throughout the country, Coloma said.
For information and assistance, try one of these other organizations that provide support for quitting:
n TOGETHER!: Helps prevent youth substance abuse. Information: Patricia Coloma, 360-493-2230, ext. 15, or pcoloma@thurstontogether.org
n Washington State Department of Healths Quit Line: Cessation counseling and referrals; free and open 24 hours a day. Information: 800-784-8669, www.quitline.com
n Free and Clear/Group Health Cooperative: Classes are available for groups and telephone-based counseling for individuals; free for members, $250 for nonmembers. Information: 800-462-5327, www.freeandclear.org
n Stop Smoking Support Group/Providence St. Peter Hospital: Meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the hospital Cafeteria Gallery, free. Information: John Markham, 360-357-5297
n Providence Maternal Child Health Support Group: Seven-week cessation class open to the general public, free. Information: Gerri Boyer, 360-493-5934
n Capital Clubhouse: Six-week cessation class for adults with mental illness, free. Information: Sue Allen, 360-357-2582
n Pregnant Womens Resources, Fresh Start Family/Providence Sound Home Care: Provides cessation support and resources for pregnant women, free. Information: 360-459-8311, 800-869-7062
n Kaiser Permanente Study: A study for teens ages 15-19 who are trying to quit. Free phone and Web-based support is available (participants do not need to be a Kaiser member). Information: 866-356-0211, www.kpchr.org/quithelper
n Korean Womens Association: Korean-language cessation counseling. Information: Dr. Soon Han, 253-535-4202
Keri Brenner writes for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5435 or kbrenner@theolympian.com.
Online resources
National quit site: www.smokefree.gov
Web site with a tobacco savings calculator: www.quitnet.com
American Lung Association of Washington Web site: www.alaw.org
American Cancer Society Web site: www.cancer.org,
Youth resources: www.smokingzine.org
