Ready to make the commitment to quit tobacco, but don’t know where to start?

Tanner Health System’s Get Healthy, Live Well can help. Interested smokers, dippers and chewers are encouraged to attend the free Freshstart classes starting June 4 and July 2 in Carrollton. Classes will be held Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton in Classroom 6.

Freshstart, a program designed by the American Cancer Society, supports participants through the first few days when quitting is the hardest and then teaches them how to master obstacles that may come later. The program is designed to help participants develop coping skills for the physical and psychological side effects that come with going tobacco-free.

Classes meet one hour a week for four weeks and all materials are provided. The group sessions provide former tobacco users with education on approaches to quitting, skills for coping with cravings and motivational support. Those who attend the classes learn the lifelong benefits of quitting tobacco and how to avoid a relapse.

An important part of the program is making an individualized plan to quit. To help fight the urge to start using tobacco again, participants are asked to make a list of things they could do instead.

More than 700 people throughout Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties have been served by Freshstart tobacco cessation programs offered by Get Healthy, Live Well since July 2013. According to surveys taken by 121 participants, the average packs of cigarettes smoked per week fell nearly a pack, from 5.5 to 4.8. Participants also showed a 10 percent increase in confidence to cope with tobacco cravings.

Visit tanner.org/freshstart to register for a free Freshstart class now or call 770-214-CARE (2273).