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Suffolk County Executive Bellone Announces New Classes Aimed at Curbing Youth Vaping Epidemic

Cessation Classes are part of the County's Vaping Prevention and Awareness Program, VAPE OUT!

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced a serious of upcoming youth vaping cessation classes, which are part of the County’s comprehensive vaping prevention and awareness program that was launched last year. Additionally, the Department of Health Services will be holding a number of tobacco cessation classes.  

 

“The dangers of teen vaping are growing more apparent everyday as teenagers continue to show up in emergency rooms with severe lung damage,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “An entire generation of children are facing a serious risk of becoming addicted to nicotine and we need to continue to do everything we can to curb this epidemic.”

 

Dr. James Tomarken, Commissioner of Suffolk County Department of Health Services, said: “We know more than ever what works and what doesn't in terms of cessation. Studies have shown that those who try to break their addiction with behavioral support, such as our cessation classes, are more likely to be successful than those who try to do so without support.”

 

Last year, County Executive Bellone and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services piloted Vape Out! a prevention and intervention program, in response to the record numbers of students who were vaping on school grounds. The Suffolk County Office of Health Education offered the three-pronged Vape Out pilot program in four school districts. The program comprises peer education, an alternative to suspension enforcement, and community forums. 

 

In 2019, Suffolk County health educators have presented 401 vaping and tobacco prevention and awareness programs to 21,020 middle and high school students, parents, teachers and professionals. Six peer education vaping prevention trainings were presented to 111 high school students who then presented vaping prevention information to another 2,938 younger students, and the county received 58 requests from school districts for the Vape Out educational program. 

 

Last fall, County Executive Bellone expanded the program to include free community youth vaping cessation classes. The Vape Out Youth Cessation Program consists of four or five sessions in which participants interactively explore the health outcomes of the choices they make through discussion, video and group activities.  Participants also practice healthy behavioral responses as a substitute for vaping. 

 

New Vape Out Youth Vaping Cessation classes are scheduled at the Babylon Town Hall, Brookhaven Town Hall, and Northwell Health in Bay Shore. Registration is required by calling the Office of Health Education at 631-853-3162.

 

Upcoming VAPE OUT! PROGRAM: Youth Vaping Cessation Program Classes

 

Babylon Town Hall

200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Dates: January 15, January 22, January 29, February 5, and February 12

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Contact: Office of Health Education: 631-853-3162                     

 

Brookhaven Town Hall

One Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11713

Dates: January 28; February 4, February 11, and February 25

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Contact: Office of Health Education: 631-853-3162

                  

Northwell Health-Southside Hospital

1963 Union Blvd., Bay Shore, NY 11706

Dates: February 24, March 2, March 9, and March 16

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Contact: Office of Health Education: 631-853-3162                      

 

Additionally, Suffolk County’s Office of Health Education has been facilitating tobacco cessation services through its Learn to Be …Tobacco Free program for 19 years, serving nearly 20,000 residents. The program is a six-week course that uses a comprehensive approach in the treatment of tobacco product dependence. Educational and behavioral strategies are provided to assist individuals in developing a quit plan to eliminate the use of tobacco products or electronic nicotine delivery systems, also called ENDS. The program also provides over-the counter medications for a fee to participants who are medically eligible. The program is conducted in locations throughout the county.  Further details are provided below.  Registration for the program is open until the second week of each session.

 

Upcoming Learn to Be…Tobacco Free Classes

 

Connetquot Public Library

760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia

Dates: Monday, February 24; March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Reunion: April 20, 2020

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Contact: Debora 631-853-2928

 

Hampton Bays Public Library

52 Ponquogue Avenue, Hampton Bays

Dates: Tuesday, March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28

Reunion: May 19, 2020

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Contact: Debora 631-853-2928

 

Stony Brook Specialty Care

500 Commack Road, Commack

Dates: Thursday, January 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20

Reunion: March 12, 2020

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Contact: Debora 631-853-2928

 

St. Catherine of Siena Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

52 Route 25A, Smithtown

Dates: Thursday, March 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16

Reunion: May 7, 2020

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Contact: Linda 631-853-3187

 

John T. Mather Hospital

75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson

Dates: Thursday, March 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23

Reunion: May 14, 2020

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Contact: Debora 631-853-2928

 

Visit Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ website for more information about our tobacco cessation program and facts about electronic cigarettes, their health effects and the risks of using e-cigarettes.

 

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