Making the Decision to Quit Smoking

Congratulations on making the decision to quit smoking.

This decision is the first step toward a healthier future. Capital Health Plan is here to support you through your “quit” journey. Choose one or more of the options below, according to your preference. If you have any questions, please contact the CHP Health Information Line.

Options:

1. Tobacco Free Florida: (877) 822-6669: supported by the Florida Department of Health. This telephone support line provides educational materials and telephone counseling to those interested in smoking cessation.
2. Freedom from Smoking online: access http://www.freedomfromsmoking.org/. This is an interactive format.
3. Quit Smoking Now: a 6-session free program offered by Big Bend AHEC. This is an evidenced based program that incorporates the Clinical Practice Guidelines for treating tobacco use and dependence. Nicotine replacement therapy, intensive counseling and relapse prevention are discussed. A monthly follow-up support group is offered for relapse prevention.
   1. Registration: Those interested may receive more information and/or register for a class series by calling the Big Bend Area Health Education Center at (850) 224-1177 or (850) 224-9340.
4. Tools to Quit: Quit Your Way is a free group class quit program with local divisions available for the Big Bend area. Each group is led by a trained specialist who guides participants through the quitting process by identifying triggers and withdrawal symptoms, and will brainstorm ways to cope with them. The program curriculum touches on topics like preparing to quit tobacco with a quit plan, learning strategies and skills to deal with nicotine cravings to remain tobacco-free, and dealing with slips. Group attendees can receive FREE patches, gum, or lozenges, if medically appropriate. The Quit Your Way group class is available in-person hosted at locations such as local public community centers, libraries, and hospitals, as well as virtually via Zoom on a phone, tablet, computer, or call-in by phone. Big Bend AHEC also offers private groups for worksites.

   Sign up for a group near you by calling (850) 224-9340 or by contacting the Big Bend AHEC at (850) 224-1177. We also invite you to review the Big Bend AHEC Tobacco Calendar for single sessions, multi-sessions, and multi-lingual classes.

5. Log on to CHPConnect to access Healthy Conversations: Quitting Smoking Again, a multimedia virtual coaching program.

Additional On-Line Smoking Cessation Resources:

• CDC Smoking & Tobacco Use
• Tobacco Free Florida – Florida Quit Line
• I Quit with AHEC Florida Network
• Smoke Free – Tobacco Control Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute