Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Every year about 440,000 people die from causes related to tobacco use. In Lancaster County, nearly 18 percent of our population smokes, which means close to one in five people uses tobacco.

 

Lancaster General is involved in a variety of initiatives designed to provide the support, education and encouragement people need to quit smoking or never start:

 

Freedom from Smoking - This comprehensive program is offered several times throughout the year and provides support and education for adults who want to stop smoking. Corporate Wellness can also bring the program to your company or business. For more information call 717-544-3811

 

LifeSkills - LifeSkills, a Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) best practice program, teaches children in third through eighth grades how to resist tobacco, alcohol and drugs. While most smoking-related health problems develop in adults, the CDC estimates that nearly 80 percent of smokers started as teenagers. If you would like to bring the LifeSkills program to your school, call 544-3284 

 

Tobacco-Free Coalition of Lancaster County - Lancaster General

co-founded this organization and provides leadership by offering programs to help people at all stages of life. http://www.tobaccofreelancaster.org

 

Inpatient Counseling - Lancaster General Hospital and Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital offer one-to-one counseling to patients who want to quit smoking.

 

Tobacco-Free Support Group-Offered on the Second Thursday of every month 5:30pm-7pm at the Health Campus, 544-3811.  A supportive environment is always a crucial part of change. This free program is offered monthly for all individuals in the community is beneficial whether you are trying to quit or need assistance staying quit. It is an hour and a half group that will focus on helping participants obtain their goal of being tobacco free.

 

Outpatient Counseling- Offered at various locations throughout the community, 544-3811.  Community-based individual counseling is a one-on-one fifteen to thirty minute session offered free in the community for individuals trying to quit smoking. During the session, the participant, with the assistance of a counselor, will focus on developing the skills necessary to be tobacco free.  Nicotine Replacement Therapy will be available free to participants.