As part of its commitment of building healthy communities and in conjunction with the decision of going tobacco-free at all Llano Memorial Healthcare System facilities on November 20, 2008, Llano Memorial Healthcare System will offer a smoking cessation class in each of the communities it serves.

The first of these classes will be held in Llano on September 29 at 5:30 P.M. and again on October 6th, also at 5:30 P.M., in the Diane Gage Learning Center, 1506 Berry Street in Llano. According to Mary Rhodes, Community Relations Director, “the smoking cessation class is designed to provide information to those who have made the decision to quit smoking and to those considering breaking the habit on the different ways to quit and products available to assist them in achieving their goal”.

According to the American Cancer Society, the positive effects of quitting begin very soon after an individual stops using tobacco and continue long after. Heart rate drops after 20 minutes. The carbon monoxide level in blood drops to a more normal level within 12 hours. Within 2 to 12 weeks of quitting, circulation improves and lung function increases up to 30 percent. Within 1 to 9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease. After 1 year, a former smoker’s risk of having coronary artery disease is half that of a smoker’s. Long-term benefits include decreased risk of stroke, decreased risk of dying from lung cancer, and decreased risk of getting cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix and pancreas.

For more information on the smoking cessation class, schedule and locations, contact LMHS Community Relations at 325 247-7824. The class is free and all ages are welcome.