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According to the CDC’s 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System report, 19.5% of Tennessee residents smoke cigarettes, which is significantly higher than the national average of 12.5%.

That is one of many reasons why Carter County Drug Prevention is offering a free Freedom From Smoking Clinic for residents of Carter County and surrounding areas. The next group clinic begins on Wednesday, Feb. 8, and runs for six weeks.

The American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking® helps individuals who are interested in quitting nicotine of ANY kind to create their own unique quit plan, as well as tips and techniques to stay successful in the long run. Freedom From Smoking is ranked as the most effective smoking cessation program in a study of 100 managed care organizations conducted by Fordham University Graduate School of Business and has helped hundreds of thousands participants quit smoking.

“We know that many folks in Carter County are interested in creating and maintaining a healthier lifestyle for the new year, so we hope that they will take advantage of this free opportunity to assist them in ridding themselves of any expensive and harmful Nicotine addictions they may have,” said Jilian Reece, Executive Director of Carter County Drug Prevention.

The local Freedom From Smoking clinic will be offered at the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, 201 N. Sycamore St., from noon until 1 p.m. for six weeks for a total of seven classes. The cost is free and lunch and workbooks will be provided at each session.

Any community member ready to quit smoking, vaping or any other form of nicotine use are not required to register and can join the class at the first session. Private sessions and other options are available to those unable to make this time. For more information about these sessions or to schedule a different time, please contact Jilian Reece at director@cartercountydrugprevention.org. Other programs offered by CCDP are also listed on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cartercountydrugpreventioncoalition.

Carter County Drug Prevention’s mission is to reduce substance abuse through collaborative planning, community action, and policy advocacy.