Become Smokefree This New Year, Enroll in Our Freedom From Smoking® Program

NEW YORK, NY (12/16/2010)(readMedia)-- The American Lung Association in New York announced that its seven-week Freedom From Smoking ® tobacco cessation program will be held this January at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. A trained facilitator will run the group cessation program that has proven to be successful in helping many people quit smoking.

"While every day is a good day to quit smoking, we also know that many New Yorkers will target January 1 as their quit date in hopes of becoming smokefree in 2011," said Scott T. Santarella, President and CEO of the American Lung Association in New York."That's why we're offering this in-person group program at New York Methodist Hospital right at the start of the New Year. We hope many people will take advantage of it. Quitting smoking is one of the best things people can do to improve their lung health and their overall health. Quitting can help extend your life and dramatically improve your quality of life."

The cost for the 7-week program is $150 per person and includes all course materials. Those who sign up with a friend are eligible to join for half price!

Santarella noted that more than 25,000 New Yorkers die as a result of their own smoking each year, and many more suffer from smoking-caused illnesses including lung disease. Offering the Freedom From Smoking® cessation program to the community is just one of many ways the Lung Association strives to reduce the burden of tobacco on New Yorkers.

The Freedom From Smoking ® program was researched and developed by the American Lung Association. Considered "America's gold standard in smoking cessation programs," it is a seven-week, eight session adult smoking cessation program that uses positive behavior change in a support group based setting.

For more information about the Freedom From Smoking® program, or for registration information, contact Amber Monson, RN at New York Methodist Hospital Pulmonary Division at either (718)780-5835 or amm9048@nyp.org.

Those interested in quitting smoking but unable to attend this particular session may wish to enroll in the Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking® Online program. For more information about our online program, visit www.ffsonline.org. Those with general questions about quitting smoking or lung health should contact the American Lung Association's Lung HelpLine at 1-800-548-8252. Callers can also be connected with the Lung HelpLine or reach their local Lung Association office by calling 1-800-LUNG-USA.

# # #

Now in its second century, the American Lung Association in New York is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, or to support our work, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.alany.org.