Tobacco Control Services

Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. provides tobacco cessation services. Our cessation coaches work with tobacco users to develop an individualized quit plan. Quit & Win! our tobacco cessation workshop is a 90 minute group session is free and open to the public. These workshops are held at various times and locations in order to best accommodate the members of the community. Nicotine Replacement Therapy options can be discussed on an individual basis. The majority of the funding for tobacco cessation is received through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Additionally COGI´s approach has been to partner with business and community based organizations to provide tobacco cessation. This has provided COGI with different venues to conduct seminars and also to act a referral source for us.

Watch the Events Calendar for upcoming seminars near you!

North Central Tobacco Control Coalition kicks off Great American Smokeout

Caption: From left are Al Snider, Centre County Tobacco Prevention Coalition; Norb McCloskey, Clinical Outcomes Group Inc.; Sandy Beideman, American Cancer Society; Constance Perry, Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition; Danielle Hardy, West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission; Linda Spurr, state Department of Health; Jenny Wagner, Clinical Outcomes Group Inc.; Kara Eberle, Clinical Outcomes Group Inc.; Megan Bollinger, Evangelical Community Hospital; Anne Lail, Penn State Cooperative Extension; Lori Jones, Penn State Cooperative Extension; Thurman Brendlinger, Clean Air Council; Scott Webb, Clinical Outcomes Group Inc.

November 18, 2011
The Express

WILLIAMSPORT - In conjunction with the American Cancer Society´s Great American Smokeout, the North Central Tobacco Control Coalition recently celebrated the implementation of another vital "smokeout" initiative, Young Lungs at Play.

This initiative assists municipalities, school districts and youth recreation and sports organizations in passing local ordinances, policies or resolutions that designate parks, playgrounds and athletic fields as tobacco-free.

During a recent ceremony, Loyalsock Township was the latest community honored for adopting the Young Lungs at Play initiative and protecting the health of children by creating safe, healthy and clean places for them to play. The township passed an ordinance for tobacco and smoke-free public parks and playgrounds for young people and was presented with free "Young Lungs at Play" signs by the North Central Tobacco Control Coalition.

"This is an important health initiative for the community," said Peter Herres, an advisory board member for the North Central Tobacco Control Coalition and executive director of the Wellsboro Parks and Recreation who presented the free signs to Loyalsock. "We are glad to see Loyalsock take similar measures as Wellsboro did in 2008."

Exposure to secondhand smoke is estimated to cause at least 38,000 deaths each year in the United States and over one million illnesses in children according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies tobacco smoke as a Class A carcinogen and the Surgeon General reports that there is no safe level of exposure. Children are at particular risk for asthma, respiratory infections and cardiovascular disease when exposed to tobacco smoke.

"Outdoor tobacco use has an environmental impact too," said Al Snider, another advisory board member of the North Central Tobacco Control Coalition and a member of the Centre County Tobacco Prevention Coalition. "Cigarette butts are one of the most littered items in the world. They are costly to clean up and tobacco waste has the potential to poison our waterways, animals and especially young children who often pick them up in playgrounds and put them in their mouths."

The community recognition coincides with the American Cancer Society´s 36th annual national Great American Smokeout, a day used to encourage smokers to become tobacco-free. Statewide, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is also commemorating the event by reminding citizens about tobacco prevention and cessation services that can help individuals who want to quit smoking. Resources include www.DeterminedToQuit.com and a toll-free quit line, 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

For more information about the "Young Lungs at Play" initiative, contact Scott Webb, from Clinical Outcomes Group Inc., a member of the North Central Tobacco Control Coalition at 570-628-6990 or SWebb@coginc.org. This program is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.