November 15, 2016
For More Information Contact:
- Kathryn Whitestone, 434-270-4802
Thomas Jefferson Health District, Health Educator
(Charlottesville, Va.) — On Thursday, November 17, the Tobacco Free Community Coalition (TFCC) is celebrating the Great American Smokeout (GASO) by hosting free events from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Carver Recreation Center to help smokers quit and save money. At each of the events, attendees will experience and learn about different strategies for quitting smoking, receive a “Survival Toolkit,” and get personalized help with creating a quit plan. Food, door prizes and giveaways will also be available. No registration is needed and people can drop in during any time of the events.
Carver Recreation Center, Jefferson School City Center
233 4th St. NW, Charlottesville
7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Events will include:
- Door Prizes and Giveaways
- Food and Coffee
- Self-Care Strategies and Breathing Meditations
- Nutrition and Exercise Activities
- Blood Pressure Screenings
- Massages and Yoga Activities
- Acupuncture (ear-points only)
- Personalized Help Creating a Quit Plan
- “Survival Toolkits”
GASO events are free and open for smokers, former smokers, and people showing support.
“I didn’t realize how much smoking controlled my life, and now that I’ve quit, I feel healthier than ever,” said Neely Dahl, Virginia Department of Health Regional Tobacco Use Control Coordinator. “As a former smoker, I can relate to people who are trying to quit, and in my current job I have the opportunity to help others by sharing what strategies helped me successfully be tobacco free. Quitting smoking is hard, but I know anyone can do it!”
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and death in the United States yet about 42 million Americans still smoke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking-related illnesses in the U.S. cost more than $300 billion each year.
For more information about GASO or help quitting smoking, call the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department at 434-972-6244 or visit www.cancer.org.