Georgia Cancer Center's Tobacco Cessation Program employs an integrative approach to help users quit all tobacco-related products,
including cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, electronic cigarettes/vaping, and chewing tobacco.
Georgia Cancer Center's Tobacco Cessation Program employs an integrative approach to help users quit all tobacco-related products,
including cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, electronic cigarettes/vaping, and chewing tobacco.
Our Approach
It's an unfortunate fact, nearly every organ in the body is harmed by smoking and
tobacco. About one-third (or 30%) of cancers could be prevented if people did not use tobacco
products or breathe secondhand smoke. For these reasons, we have created a tobacco
cessation program where everyone is welcome to participate - from patients to the general public, from area businesses
to our own Augusta University community - we are here to make your life a whole lot
healthier!
Our cessation clinic and classes:
- Are available to the general public, 18 years of age or older.
- Have access to the Augusta University Health System pharmacy.
- Are easy to get to, with convenient parking.
How to become a part of our program in 3 Easy Steps:
- Call and make an appointment: 706-721-0456.
- Visit our clinic for your health assessment.
- Sign up for cessation class - call 706-721-0456 for a schedule of class dates and times.
Tobacco Cessation Class
What to Expect
Cessation classes are led by a trained counselors and are designed to meet each person's
specific needs. By actively participating in the classes you will develop your "quit
plan" and gain the skills needed to cope with nicotine addiction and tobacco-use habits.
The classes are designed to help you achieve your quitting goals so you can lead a
healthier lifestyle.
- After your initial visit and health assessment, a clinic staff member will register
you for your class. Registration is required to attend class.
- New cessation classes are offered every two weeks.
- Each class consists of a one hour group session each week, for four weeks.
- We offer convenient locations and hours.
Electronic Cigarettes
Our cessation program does not endorse use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes
or vaping) as an alternative to conventional cigarettes or as an aid to quitting other
tobacco products. E-cigarettes/vaping are not evidence-based methods for quitting
smoking or reducing dependence on nicotine.
E-cigarettes do not emit "harmless water vapor". The secondhand aerosol contains nicotine,
ultra-fine particles (that lodge deep into the lungs), and low levels of chemical
and metal toxins (known to cause cancer); these include:
- Propylene glycol
- Formaldehyde
- Cadmium
- Lead
- Nickel
Dangerous health effects on the young
The nicotine in e-cigarettes is especially harmful to the developing brains of young
people. Pregnant women must avoid e-cigarettes because it is also a significant health
risk to a developing baby's brain. In addition, e-cigarettes and vaping can cause
airway irritation, asthma, and impaired lung function.
Get Ready to Quit
While our cessation coaches make every effort to tailor the program to your needs,
you should take the following steps to get yourself ready to quit:
- Make a plan and enlist the support of family and friends - this will greatly increase
your chances of quitting tobacco for life.
- Set a quit date!
- Get active! Incorporate exercise into your daily routine even before you quit.
- Start calculating how much money you’ll save with a tobacco-free life!
- Start drinking water every day. The suggested amount is 1/2 of your weight in ounces
of water daily.
- Check with your human resource department, being a non-tobacco user could get you
health insurance/benefits advantages.