Campus events next week offer ways to quit tobacco use

November 10, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida faculty, staff and students who want to quit tobacco use have lots of opportunities next week for help.

GatorWell and the American Medical Student Association are marking the 35th anniversary of the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 18 with events throughout campus.

GatorWell’s Health Hut will feature tobacco cessation materials from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Hub and from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Southwest Recreation Center; from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 17 on the Plaza of the Americas; from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18 on the Reitz Student Union Colonnade; and from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Nov. 19 during Gator Nights in the Reitz Student Union.

AMSA will set up a resource table from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 18 on the Plaza of the Americas.

Effective quit-smoking services and resources are available throughout the year for students, faculty and staff who want to quit tobacco use.

The Quit Smoking Program is one of the services available through GatorWell. It offers more than $350 in discounts on smoking cessation medications and the opportunity to work with a quit coach. Appointments are available for enrolled UF students.

For UF faculty and staff, a free smoking cessation class and free or discounted medications are offered by the university’s Employee Assistance Program. Spouses and partners of UF employees also are welcome to participate in the program. Call 352-392-5787 for more information.

The majority of persons who smoke indicate they want to quit; however, less than 5 percent who try on their own are successful.

“Even if you have tried to become smoke free in the past, now is a great time to try again,” said Jane Emmerée, a quit coach at GatorWell. “Coming up with a plan that will work for you is essential to increase your chance of success.”

Visit http://www.tobaccofree.ufl.edu for more information.