From 10 am to 3 pm and from 5 to 7 pm, smoking information brochures and hands-on tobacco displays will be available in the HACC Student Commons. Nutritious snacks will encourage smokers to reach for a carrot instead of a cigarette, and free goodie bags will include an assortment of cessation reminders and aids to help keep cigarette-quitters on track.
From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, also in the HACC Student Commons, a clinical hypnotist, a fitness expert, and a tobacco prevention consultant will be available to discuss various techniques to assist in smoking cessation: Clinical hypnotist Roy Lehto is a Registered Nurse and is certified as a clinical hypnotherapist by the American Board of Clinical Hyponotherapy; he has also been certified as a sports hypnotist by the National Endurance and Sports Trainers Association.
Stephani Maitland of Gettysburg Health & Fitness is certified as a Personal Trainer/ Fitness Counselor by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Bonnie Sowers, R.N. is a Tobacco Prevention Consultant with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The Great American Smoke Out is held annually on the third Thursday in November and is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, which promotes local and nationwide activities focusing on the benefits of not smoking. During past Smoke Outs, millions of smokers nationwide have committed to quit for just one day.
"We're here to help any of our students and their families who want to quit smoking," said Amanda Hartzel, Tobacco Project coordinator at HACC-Gettysburg Campus. "We also welcome any members of the community who want to learn more about tobacco cessation. The Great American Smoke Out gives smokers a chance to try one day without cigarettes - and we can provide support to help them make it."
HACC-Gettysburg Campus is located at 731 Old Harrisburg Road, near Weis Markets and Adams County National Bank. For more information, call HACC at 717-337-3855.