Quitting >> Tobacco Cessation Resources
Tobacco Cessation Resources
A wide selection of counseling services, self-help materials and medicines are available today to help smokers and tobacco-users employed by the University of Florida or Shands HealthCare quit successfully. Scroll down for options, including a national, state and county-by-county list of other resources.
Shands HealthCare Employees
If you are a Shands employee who is interested in becoming tobacco-free, please contact Human Resources Occupational Health Services at 352-265-0250.
Please view our Tobacco-Free Together site on the ShandsConnect Portal, located under “Employee Resources.” It includes links to Shands employee-specific resources, including the OHS Smoking Cessation site and other information to help employees reduce or quit the use of tobacco products.
- Occupational Health Services (OHS) offers Freedom from Smoking classes to both employees and their spouses for a nominal fee. The course provides step-by-step guidance to stop smoking in supportive surroundings. Check the smoking cessation Web site for a list of dates/times. OHS nurse practitioners can assist with recommending and prescribing medications to reduce tobacco cravings. Cost of medications may be covered by your health insurance.
- The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can provide the psychological support to stop smoking.
- Shands’ group Pharmacy Benefit Plan already includes CHANTIX®, a promising prescription medication to combat smoking. For benefits-eligible employees and eligible dependents who are enrolled in either the Shands Preferred or Shands Basic medical plan, this medicine is available at a special co-payment of $45 for a 30-day supply when purchased at a Shands-owned pharmacy. (Plaza Pharmacy at Ayers; Shands Outpatient Pharmacy or the Shands Medical Plaza pharmacy). These pharmacies will also carry nicotine replacement products (gum and patches) available to employees at current retail prices. Items obtained at Shands-owned pharmacies can be purchased by way of payroll deduction. Community hospital employees may have their prescriptions filled and mailed to them by the Shands Medical Plaza Pharmacy by calling 352-265-8270 or toll-free at 888-345-8270.
back to top University of Florida Employees and Students
Free smoking cessation program
In a joint effort, the Student Health Care Center, UF’s Employee Assistance Program and the UF Area Health Education Centers are offering UF employees a free smoking cessation program. All employees, including OPS, who are interested in quitting smoking are encouraged to learn more about this program.
We are currently enrolling participants for two groups:
- One will be offered at the College of Health Professions beginning at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4 in Room G111.
- The second group will meet at the Student Health Care Center (the Infirmary) on campus at noon beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The groups will meet for approximately 90 minutes for six consecutive weeks and will include education, group support and medical oversight with pharmaceutical smoking cessation medications. Medications will be available under the prescription and management of a skilled medical provider and offered to participants at a significant discount. Because success at quitting is more likely when partners quit together, spouses and partners are invited to participate at no cost also.
Additional groups will be offered as demand requires. Because a brief medical screening is required, please call early to enroll. For more information or to enroll, please contact the EAP program at 352-392-5787 or go to: http://shcc.ufl.edu/occmed/esc.shtml.
UF Area Health Educations Centers (AHEC)
The UF Area Health Educations Centers (AHEC) Program works to help students, staff, faculty and patients in the tobacco use prevention and cessation effort. The organization partners with many groups within UF, providing funding and administrative support for various programs, evaluating those efforts and sending reports to the Florida Department of Health, which funds the grants.
AHEC can help you — just call:
- UF students (through GatorWell Health Promotion Services): 352-273-4450
- UF faculty and staff (through the Student Health Care Center and Employee Assistance Program): 352-392-5787
- Health Science Center patients and staff (through the Department of Community Health and Family Medicine): 352-392-4541, ext. 239
- All others in Alachua and surrounding counties (Suwannee River AHEC): 866-341-2730
More information:
UF AHEC programs include:
Full-time tobacco cessation specialist; The specialist operates from the College of Medicine’s Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, conducting individual and group counseling for patients, faculty and staff of the Health Science Center and Shands at UF. The specialist also trains medical residents on how to work with patients to address tobacco cessation issues.
Student services — GatorWell; Individual coaching sessions are provided through GatorWell. Low-cost nicotine replacement therapy and pharmacotherapy may also be available. For more information visit the GatorWell Quit Tobacco site.
Group counseling for faculty and staff; Employees can take advantage of a five- to seven-week program consisting of lunchtime or evening sessions. The program, “Quit Smoking Now,” was developed by ex-smokers. Low-cost nicotine replacement therapy and pharmacotherapy also are available. For more information visit http://www.shcc.ufl.edu/occmed/pdf/ESC.pdf
Training health-care providers; AHEC offers training for health-care providers and other professionals who interact with patients, to help them work with patients and their families on tobacco prevention and cessation. The sessions are tailored to the needs of providers, and participants can earn continuing education (CE) or continuing medical education (CME) credit.
County Resources
Alachua County
CHOICES Health Education and Wellness Program—Tobacco Cessation Program
Free and open to Alachua County residents, this program meets twice a month (every second and fourth Tuesday at the Alachua County Health Department). After attending two meetings in a month, participants are eligible to receive a free nicotine patch. For more information, call 352-334-8889 or visit http://www.alachuacounty.us/government/depts/css/choices/.
Bradford County
Quit Smoking Now
Free and open to the community, this program offers 1 ½-hour classes for six weeks. Attendees receive vouchers they can use at local pharmacies for free smoking patches. For more information, call 904-964-7732.
Clay County
Tobacco Prevention and Control Program
Free and open to the community, this support group features seven classes in six weeks. Free nicotine patches, lozenges, etc. can be received through the Florida Quit Line. For more information, call 904-529-2800 or 904-482-0189.
Columbia County
Quit Smoking Now
Free and open to the community, this is a six-week program, with meetings once a week. Attendance at meetings is required to receive nicotine patches. For more information, call 866-341-2730 or 386-758-1068.
Duval County
Quit Smoking Now (North Florida AHEC)
Free and open to the community, this support group offers seven classes in six weeks. Free nicotine patches, lozenges, etc. can be received through the Florida Quit Line. For more information, call 904-482-0189.
Marion County
Tobacco Prevention Program
Free and open to Marion County residents, this program offers counseling and weekly support materials during eight sessions over seven weeks. Free nicotine patches, lozenges, etc. are available. For more information, call 352-629-0137.
Nassau County
Quit Smoking Now
Free and open to the community, this support group features six classes in six weeks. Free nicotine patches, lozenges, etc. can be received through the Florida Quit Line. For more information, call 904-548-1860, ext. 5245.
St. Johns County
Quit Smoking Now (North Florida AHEC)
Free and open to the community, this support group offers seven classes in six weeks.
Nassau County
This is a support group. Free nicotine patches, lozenges, etc. can be received through the Florida Quit Line. For more information, call 904-482-0189.
Suwannee County
Tobacco Prevention Program
Free and open to Suwannee County residents, this program provides one-on-one counseling scheduled on an as-needed basis. Free nicotine patches, lozenges, etc. can be received through the Florida Quit Line. For more information, call 386-362-2708.
State of Florida
The Quit Line
This Department of Health resource is available to all Florida residents. Included are five counseling sessions (eight for pregnant woman), self-help materials and coupons for nicotine replacement therapy assistance. Counselors are available 24 hours a day and resources are provided in English and Spanish. For more information, call 1-877-U-CAN-Now (877-822-6669) or 850-245-4144, or visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or www.floridaquitline.com.
National
American Lung Association: Freedom from Smoking Online
Available to anyone who opens a free account with the Web site, www.ffsonline.org. This is an online cessation program featuring seven modules.
The American Cancer Society
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for more information.
The National Cancer Institute
Call 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) to speak with an English- or Spanish-speaking counselor. Visit http://www.smokefree.gov for other resources.
