Brookdale students tired of the expense and the health risks of smoking or vaping can attend a free Zoom program designed to help them quit for good.
Offered on Mondays from 7 to 7:45 p.m., the program is made available through RWJ Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery and available at https://zoom.us/j/98597186060?pwd=UDcxemt3M1dSR3ZicGZSdjBwSmFtdz09#success.
Anyone who has been thinking about working toward quitting smoking or vaping can attend this completely free program, which includes working alongside a certified tobacco treatment specialist.
There are also various different ways to meet with a specialist. RWJ Barnabas also offers sessions over the phone or via the web. The sessions can be individual or in groups.
“I’ve decided that this year is the year I try to stop. I really want to get healthy,” said Charlie Hayes, a 22-year-old, creative writing major from Hazlet. “My first step is the program being held on Monday. I’m looking forward to starting my journey!”
Open to those who don’t have insurance, regardless of age, this program can also provide free nicotine replacement therapies. This includes lozenges, gum, and patches to aid in recovery.
“I think it’s super important for Brookdale to offer programs like this one. There are people out there who don’t know where to start when it comes to quitting smoking,” said Julia Lomonte, a 20-year-old environmental science major from Long Branch. “Especially doing this over Zoom, I feel like it will make people more comfortable with starting the process of quitting.”