Baptist Medical Center South Offers Seven-Week Smoking Cessation Course Beginning June 5

Jacksonville, Florida, May 23, 2007 -- Individuals who are interested in quitting smoking are invited to attend a smoking cessation course to be held at Baptist Medical Center South, each Tuesday for seven weeks, beginning June 5.

The course will teach participants step-by-step how to replace the nicotine habit with healthy alternatives. Attendees will receive information about nicotine addiction and the risks associated with it. The group will be given enough time to learn the skills necessary to stop smoking, build a support system and then put those skills into practice. Relapse prevention techniques will be discussed during the weeks following the quit day.

The orientation session is free; the course fee is $75.

Class participants should meet in the main lobby, first floor of Baptist South, and they will be escorted to the event.

Please RSVP by calling 904.202.CARE by May 31, 2007. For more information about Baptist South, visit e-baptisthealth.com or call 821.6000.

Benefits of Quitting
After only...

Eight hours - Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal

48 hours - Nerve endings start regrowing, ability to smell and taste is enhanced

Two weeks to three months - Circulation improves, walking becomes easier, lung function increases up to 30 percent

One to nine months - Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease; cilia regrow in lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection; body's overall energy increases

One year - Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker