The is a lot of emphasis on living a healthy lifestyle these days. And rightly so. Over the past decade many new and not so healthy habits have been added to our daily lives. An old habit, not a good one for healthy living, is smoking. The nicotine in cigarettes is a powerful substance that causes addiction.
The other unhealthy habit is that of vaping, especially for teens and young people who have picked up the habit. Recent reports indicate that close to 1.8 million additional kids began to use vapes in the past year alone.
Helping to address both of these health-related issues is both a new partnership between the Pocono Mountains United Way (PMUW) and the American Lung Association (ALA) as well as a new initiative between the East Stroudsburg Area School District and the American Lung Association’s Vape-Free School Initiative.
The partnership between the PMUW and the ALA recognizes that smoking cessation is a journey, and they have a program to help and support those looking to improve their health and their pocketbook along the way.
The Tobacco Treatment Program run through Lehigh Valley Health Network is an evidence-based program that has been designed to help people quit smoking for good by providing them with the tools, resources, and support needed to overcome the challenges of nicotine addiction.
The program offers a variety of resources, including one-on-one counseling, group therapy sessions and pharmacotherapy options to help with the quitting process. In addition to the health benefits, such as reducing the risk of lung cancer and heart disease, it can also lead to improved mental health and a better quality of life.
Tips for quitting include choosing a quitting date, have a family member or friend support you and if you fail, try again. The program is offered at locations both in East Stroudsburg and Allentown. To learn more about the program contact Nasaiah Hoskins, Tobacco/Vape Free Program Manager at: nasaiah@poconounitedway.org or by phone at 570-243-6682. To contact the program directly in East Stroudsburg at 570-422-1704 or in Allentown at 610-402-4845.
East Stroudsburg School District’s implementation of the Vape-Free Schools Initiative will include a revised policy that prohibits all tobacco use, including e-cigarettes any form of vaping by students, staff, parents and visitors on school property. As part of the program, the school’s staff will complete the ALA training to deliver tobacco intervention and cessation programs for students.
The program called INDEPTH (Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobaccos and Health) is an alternative for students who face suspension for violating school vaping and tobacco use policies. The program teaches students about nicotine dependence and establishing healthy boundaries, rather than focusing on punitive measures.
Not-on-Tobacco is a teen tobacco cessation program for students that want to quit. The 10-sesson program will provide tools, information and support for those teens seeking to end their addiction to tobacco. The District knows that it is imperative that strides are taken toward ending the youth vaping epidemic, and it is proud to take the steps needed to help support students, parents and teachers as they launch the new initiative. For schools or those interested in learning more about the program, visit: lung.org/vape-free-schools or contact Nasaiah Hoskins at Pocono Mountain United Way. (570-243-6682)
Debbie Kulick writes a weekly column for the Pocono Record and Tri-County Independent. She serves on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as an EMT.
