Great American Smokeout offers help, resources, and classes to those looking to quit smoking in Wicomico County

SALISBURY, Md- Every year on the third Thursday of November, the Great American Smokeout challenges people who smoke to stop for one day and learn about the many tools they can use to help them quit.

Here in Wicomico county, that means lessons that are being given by the MDH and County health departments, stop smoking kits, and more.
The challenge itself is set to take place Friday, challenging smokers to take the first step and go 24 hours without using tobacco products.

But help for quitting smoking is available outside of that 24 hours, with the Wicomico Tobacco Program also offering work site and community stop smoking classes and confidential individual counseling over the phone.
Program Director Rhonda Bryant tells 47ABC, a big part of quitting is recognizing the triggers and directing those urges into healthy habits.

“A big part of what I teach is mindfulness, and with mindfulness, it teaches the participant to be in the know so they recognize those triggers and can also recognize the fact when the trigger happens they can do something different like pop a piece of gum or do a task that can distract them,” she said.

Bryant says, for those who have smoked for years, 24 hours without tobacco can be daunting, but she says any pause to use can have major health benefits.
They also offer gum and nicotine patches, and medication to help those looking to quit for good.