Suffolk County, NY - April 21, 2015 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Health Commissioner James Tomarken, MD, encourage residents who use tobacco to seek help in breaking their tobacco-nicotine addiction and to sign up for Suffolk County’s “Learn to Be …Tobacco Free” program.

“We are promoting good health to all residents in Suffolk County,” said County Executive Bellone. “For those who are addicted to tobacco or nicotine, we urge them to get the support they need to prevent illnesses that are caused by tobacco.”

“Breaking an addiction to nicotine can be very difficult,” said Dr. Tomarken. “Recent studies have shown that smokers who try to quit smoking using a combination of behavioral support and medicine  are three times more likely to be successful than those who try to stop smoking without support.”

The classes are free to Suffolk County residents, though there is a nominal fee for medication for medically eligible participants. Classes are as follows:

Good Samaritan Hospital, Breast Cancer Health, Inc. 32 Park Ave, Bay Shore NY
Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., April 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21, 2015
Reunion:  June 11, 2015 (Contact: 376-4444)

John T. Mather Memorial Hospital, 75 North Country Rd Port Jefferson, NY
Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., April 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21, 28, 2015
Reunion:  June 18, 2015 (Contact: 476-2723)

Connetquot Public Library, 760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia NY
Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., May 5, 12, 19, 26; June 2, 9, 2015
Reunion: June 30, 2015 (Contact: 567-5079)

South Huntington Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, South Huntington NY
Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., May 5, 12, 19, 26; June 2, 9, 2015
Reunion: June 30, 2015 (Contact 549-4411)

Suffolk County Dept. of Health, 725 Veterans Highway Bldg. C- 928 Hauppauge NY
Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., May 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25; July 9, 2015
Reunion: July 30, 2015 (Contact 853-3187)

North Shore Public Library, 250 Rte. 25A, Shoreham, NY
Mondays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; July 6, 2015
Reunion: July 27, 2015 (Contact 929-4488)

Hampton Bays Library, 52 Ponquogue Avenue, Hampton Bays, NY
Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., June 16, 23, 30; July 14, 21, 28
Reunion: August 17, 2015 (Contact: 728-6241)

Middle Country Public Library, 575 Middle Country Road, Selden, NY
Mondays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., June 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27; August 3, 2015
Reunion: August 24, 2015, For more information, call 853-4017.