Tobacco cessation focus of Center for Healthy Living program; online courses also available

The Center for Healthy Living offers multiple tobacco cessation programs to benefits-eligible employees and covered dependents in an effort to provide on-site, convenient and effective assistance to support their decision to quit smoking and better their overall health, says Millie Fenneman, practice administrator at the center.

The Center for Healthy Living is offering a no-cost wellness program for tobacco cessation beginning April 13. The six-week tobacco cessation program -- led by Debra Crume-Nagel, registered nurse and certified health and wellness coach -- will meet from noon to 12:50 p.m. Wednesdays from April 13 through May 18 at the center. Program participants must self-identify as being a tobacco user or be referred into the program by a provider at the Center for Healthy Living.

This comprehensive education and self-management program is offered to individuals who express interest in tobacco cessation. The program will educate participants on understanding tobacco, readiness to quit, quitting methods, nutrition, physical activity, stress and staying tobacco-free. Special focus will be placed on making behavior changes, overcoming withdrawal/cravings, coping with stress, managing weight, preventing relapses and more.

"One of the key steps to being tobacco free is preparation," Crume-Nagel says. "Our Living Tobacco Free program is for anyone who wants to quit using tobacco or is contemplating quitting tobacco products. We provide tools and resources to help our participants quit smoking, stay healthy and prevent tobacco related complications."

Register by April 8 by calling 49-45505. Limited seats are available for this small-group setting.

The Center for Healthy Living has also added two online tobacco cessation programs to its Web portal. The programs are available to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff system-wide. Spouses and same-sex domestic partners covered on a Purdue medical plan are also eligible for the online programs.

* Living Tobacco Free is a two-part, six-week program for those who are ready to quit or are thinking about quitting.

* Staying Tobacco Free is a four-week program for those who have already quit.

The programs are accessible now by clicking the Portal Log On tile on the Center for Healthy Living home page.

To enroll in the online program, interested participants should call the center to register at 49-40111. The participant will have an initial telephonic visit with the health coach, followed by modules and feedback via the portal. Living Tobacco Free participants should enroll no later the week of April 11. This will allow six weeks to complete the modules plus one week to turn the certificate in to Human Resources.

Participants must complete all weekly sessions and submit the completion certificate at the end of the program to Tatiana Winship, HR Service Center, FREH.

I think this "must" means to achieve some outcome or status. Tell the reader what. The next paragraph says "for those … waiver" -- what about anyone else?

For those who are completing a program for a tobacco premium waiver, the program must be completed by May 30. The reduced medical plan premium will take effect July 1. For more information on the tobacco waiver, visit Purdue's Tobacco Cessation page.

To learn more, or to receive assistance with accessing the portal, contact the Center for Healthy Living at 49-40111

Center for Healthy Living programs and workshops are free for benefits-eligible faculty and staff and for spouses/same-sex domestic partners covered on a Purdue medical plan. Adult dependents covered on a Purdue medical plan as well as benefits-eligible employees who have opted out of a Purdue medical plan also can attend free of charge. For more information on services offered at the CHL, visit the center online.

To better serve patients, the center is now open 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Lab hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For medical consultation after hours or on weekends, contact the Anthem nurse line at 888-279-5449 for assistance.