Freedom From Smoking ® Facilitator Training Offered to Help Smokers Quit as Cigarette Prices Increase

Training in Rochester to be held July 15th -16th

ROCHESTER, NY (06/24/2010)(readMedia)-- The American Lung Association in New York will be holding its Freedom From Smoking ® (FFS) Facilitator Training program at its office in Rochester on Thursday, July 15th and Friday, July 16th 2010. The 1½ day training, which gives participants the knowledge and tools they need to run the Lung Association's eight session smoking cessation program, will be held from 8am to 5pm on Thursday and from 8am until noon on Friday. The cost for the training, including all materials, is $300. Those interested in registering for the upcoming training can do so online at our website, alany.org .

On July 1st, the state tax on each pack of cigarettes sold will rise from $2.75 to $4.35, significantly raising the per pack price. Many current smokers will be looking for a way to break their addiction and the Freedom From Smoking® program is one tool that can help them do so. Now is the time to become a FFS Facilitator and help fellow New Yorkers quit.

"This training provides an excellent opportunity for individuals who are interested in improving public health by helping people quit smoking," said Scott T. Santarella, President and CEO of the American Lung Association in New York. "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 that could have been prevented. Our mission is to save lives by preventing lung disease and improving lung health. The more facilitators we have, the more people we can reach who desperately want to become smokefree."

Program graduates will be qualified to deliver the eight session group program to businesses and community groups looking to provide tobacco cessation services.

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.

Training program participants will receive 1 ½ days of training by the American Lung Association in New York's Director of Tobacco Education. All participants will be provided with educational materials and the Freedom From Smoking® Guide for Clinic Facilitators.

For more information about the Freedom From Smoking® Training, or to register, visit alany.org.

Registrations will be accepted until the program is filled. The deadline to register for the training is July 12, 2010.

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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.