Greater Fall River Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc. offered a smoking cessation group to participants in the United Interfaith Action group at the First Baptist Church in Fall River beginning on April 16, 2014. The eight-session group is designed to work with smokers who intend to cut down or quit smoking altogether. Participants learn about the health problems associated with tobacco addiction as well as safe alternatives to nicotine, such as the patch. "Our goal is to help community members to get a clean form of nicotine into there system," commented Partners Worksite Wellness Coordinator Angela Bras, who is a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist. Similar groups are available to organizations in the Greater Fall River Area on a fee-for-service basis. Click here for one-minute video of the group session. For more information, contact Worksite Wellness Coordinator Angela Bras at 774-400-4466. 

(Top row) Ms. Bras opens the group by reviewing some of the techniques they learned in the first session, such as recording their emotional state when they smoke each cigarette. (Middle row) Channa Guinard asks about the use of e-cigarettes as a method of quitting and Ms. Bras responds that e-cigarettes are not an approved cessation device because their safety has not been determined unlike the patch which is pictured in the center photo. (Bottom row) SCHHWI Wellness Coordinator Jack Shipley assists with answering questions from the group.