St. Mary’s Respiratory Services will offer the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking program starting Aug. 2 for any adult who wishes to quit smoking.

The program will be facilitated by certified instructor Todd Drake, an ex-smoker who is a registered respiratory therapist and St. Mary’s cardiopulmonary rehabilitation coordinator. The seven-week course will conclude Sept. 13. Enrollment is now open.

Classes will meet at St. Mary’s Outpatient Diagnostic, Rehab and Wellness Center, located at 2470 Daniells Bridge Road, Building 300, on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Enrollment is $60 per person. Participants who complete the program will receive a complimentary 3-month membership to St. Mary’s Wellness Center.

To sign up, call Drake at 706.389.2915. For details about Freedom from Smoking, visit the American Lung Association at http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/how-to-quit/getting-help/.

The American Lung Association is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States. The Freedom from Smoking class includes eight sessions and features a step-by-step plan for quitting smoking. It was first introduced almost 30 years ago and has helped over 1 million Americans end their addiction to tobacco.

“Quitting is a process, and Freedom from Smoking is individualized for each participant,” Drake said. “Because no single approach is effective for all smokers, the class includes a variety of evidence-based cessation techniques. We facilitate each session in a small-group setting, so participants get personalized attention as well as support from their peers.”

According to evaluation studies conducted by the American Lung Association, participants experience immediate health benefits and are six times more likely to be smoke-free one year later than those who try to quit on their own.

“The best benefit of quitting smoking is that it gives you the chance to live a long, healthy, happy life,” said Drake. “We believe this class can be a real benefit to our community.”