According the U.S. Surgeon General, an individual's blood pressure drops just 20 minutes after he or she quits smoking and lung function increases 30 percent within one to three months after quitting. Individuals who want to reap the health benefits of kicking the smoking habit can take advantage of a smoking cessation program available through Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
No Ifs, Ands or Butts is a smoking cessation support and advice program that is open to the public. Sessions run 90 minutes each for six weeks and are held in the I.O. Silver Cardiovascular Specialties clinic, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, University Physician Center, suite 600, in Hershey. A few openings remain for the Feb. 14 through March 28 program, which runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. Openings also are availale for two programs that begin in April.
The program walks smokers through the entire process from decision-making to quitting and through relapse prevention. The program is free to the public. Penn State Hershey Medical Center employees participating in the medical center's benefits program also can earn credits toward their Health Reimbursement Arrangement by successfully completing the program. Seating is limited. For more information or to register, call the 24-hour CareLine at (800) 243-1455 or visit http://www.pennstateheartandvascular.com online.