Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Every year about 440,000 people die from causes related to tobacco use. In Lancaster County, nearly 21 percent of our population smokes (Behavioral Risk Factors for Pennsylvania Adults, 1996-2000), which means close to one in five people use tobacco.

 

Lancaster General is involved in a variety of initiatives designed to provide the support, education and encouragement people need to quit smoking or never start:

 

Freedom from Smoking - This six-week program is offered several times throughout the year and provides support and education for adults who want to stop smoking. Corporate Wellness can also bring the program to your company or business. You can register online under Classes or email wellness@lancastergeneral.org for more information. Smoke-Free friends is a support group formed by program graduates and open to all.

 

LifeSkills - LifeSkills, a Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) best practice program, teaches children in third through eighth grades how to resist tobacco, alcohol and drugs. While most smoking-related health problems develop in adults, the CDC estimates that nearly 80 percent of smokers started as teenagers. If you would like to bring the LifeSkills program to your school, call 544-3284 or email wellness@lancastergeneral.org.

 

Tobacco-Free Coalition of Lancaster County - Lancaster General co-founded this organization and provides leadership by offering programs to help people at all stages of life. The Coalition publishes a free guide to smoke-free local restaurants. For your free copy, call 544-3223 or email wellness@lancastergeneral.org.

 

Clean Air - Educators work with physician offices to show them a strategic approach they can take to counsel smokers to quit.