Tobacco use kills more than 480,000 Americans every year from lung cancer, heart disease, COPD and other conditions resulting from smoking. There are more than 7,000 chemicals in cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos. Nearly 70 of these are cancer-causing chemicals known as carcinogens, including carbon monoxide, arsenic, DDT, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. Nicotine is the addictive substance in a cigarette that can make it difficult for people to quit.
Quitting isn’t easy. That’s why MercyOne Clinton Medical Center is reaching out to help people in our community stop smoking. In addition to working with patients while they’re in the hospital, MercyOne also offers smoking cessation classes that are open to the public and free of charge as a community health service.
“Freedom from Smoking®” is a seven-week course developed by the American Lung Association. The next seven-week session begins Tuesday, May 7 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at MercyOne Clinton Medical Center, 1410 N. 4th St. Participants are able to work together to prepare for a “quit” date. Call 563-244-5801 to sign up for this free program.