Free smoking cessation classes offered

TORRINGTON — Charlotte Hungerford Hospital will be offering “Freedom From Smoking” cessation programs in both Torrington and Winsted this fall as part of ongoing efforts to help smokers kick the habit and live smoke free.

The FREE program features discussion and skill sessions led by trained, certified American Cancer Society facilitators who understand the motivations and rationalizations of smoking, and use a positive behavior change approach that teaches people how to become permanent non-smokers. Participants attend eight interactive classes with “Quit Day” midway through the session.

The program will be offered in Torrington on Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the CHH Hungerford Center, 780 Litchfield St., Torrington, just up the hill from the main hospital building from Oct. 10 to Nov. 28.

The program will also be offered on Tuesdays in Winsted at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in the new Joyner Health Science Center (Room #143) from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. and again from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., from October 9 to November 27.

In Winsted, CHH is partnering with Northwestern Connecticut Community College in support of their current plan to a create smoke, vape and tobacco free campus in 2019. CHH used a recent grant to train four new facilitators in anticipation of the fall offerings, including Carla Angevine, Susan Murphy, Damaris Sierra, and Maria Capobianco.

“In this step-by step program, participants will receive the personal attention they need to help them quit smoking and transition to a healthier, smoke free lifestyle through education, relaxation techniques, and methods of preventing weight gain.” said Sandy Markus, long time smoking program facilitator, in a written statement.

As a special incentive, the $75 program fee will be waived for all participants. Call 860-496-6538 to register or receive more information. Space is limited.