Suffolk Officials Encourage Residents to 'Learn to Be...Tobacco Free'

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Health Commissioner James Tomarken, MD, encourage residents who use tobacco to take advantage of the Suffolk County’s “Learn to Be …Tobacco Free” program.

“This year, as we launch Healthy Suffolk, we encourage all residents to take advantage of the supports that will enable them to live longer, healthier lives.” said County Executive Bellone.

“This program works,” said Dr. Tomarken. “Recent studies have shown that smokers who try to quit smoking using a combination of behavioral support and medicine or nicotine replacement products are three times more likely to be successful than those who try to stop smoking without support.”

The classes are free to Suffolk County residents, though there is a nominal fee for medication for medically eligible participants. Classes are as follows:

Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738

Mondays from 6:00 p.m – 7:00 p.m. April 6; 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, 2015

Reunion: June 1, 2015 (Contact: 451-8026)

Good Samaritan Hospital, Breast Cancer Health, Inc. 32 Park Ave, Bay Shore NY 11706

Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 2015

Reunion: June 11, 2015 (Contact: 376-4444)

John T. Mather Memorial Hospital, 75 North Country Rd Port Jefferson, NY 11777

Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., April 23, 30 May 7, 14; 21, 28, 2015

Reunion: June 18, 2015 (Contact: 476-2723)

Connetquot Public Library, 760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia NY 11716

Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m- 7:00 p.m., May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2, 9, 2015

Reunion: June 30, 2015 (Contact: 567-5079)

South Huntington Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, South Huntington NY 11746

Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., May 5, 12, 19, 26; June 2, 9, 2015

Reunion: June 30, 2015 (Contact 549-4411)

Suffolk County Dept. of Health, 725 Veterans Highway Bldg. C- 928 Hauppauge NY 11788

Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., May 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25; July 9, 2015

Reunion: July 30, 2015 (Contact 853-3187)

Call 853-4017 for more information