VALDOSTA, GA — The American Lung Association in Georgia announces Freedom From Smoking® at all South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) campuses beginning January 2014. The American Lung Association (ALA) has been helping smokers for many years. Now in partnership with SGMC, the latest information on how to quit and stay quit will be provided to those living in or near Lowndes, Berrien, and Lanier counties.

Freedom From Smoking® is an eight-session stop-smoking clinic provided at no cost. Professionally trained instructors help smokers create a supportive environment to break the smoking addiction.

“For many smokers, especially those who have tried to quit before, group support can make the difference in helping to stay smoke free,” said Ateya Wilson, Area Manager for the American Lung Association in Georgia. “Freedom From Smoking® uses a positive behavior-change approach that teaches you how to become a nonsmoker for good. Throughout the program you’ll get special attention in dealing with recovery symptoms, controlling weight, managing stress, and fighting those urges to go back to smoking.”

Having a plan and the support of others is important while quitting smoking. “We encourage participants to make a plan, talk to a healthcare professional, and seek support and resources,” states Marie Sims, community health promotions coordinator at South Georgia Medical Center. “With Freedom From Smoking®, members meet with a small group of people and because no two smokers are alike, the program helps to create individual quit plans.”

Smoking claims the lives of 443,000 people each year and is the most preventable cause of death and disease. South Georgia Medical Center and the American Lung Association encourage those wanting to quit smoking to join the 46 million Americans that have quit, and become smoke free in 2014. For those interested in kicking the habit, please contact Marie Sims with South Georgia Medical Center at 229.333.1074 or www.sgmc.org.