The Cleveland Department of Public Health is launching a tobacco cessation program aimed at helping residents quit smoking. This initiative comes in response to the high smoking rates in Cleveland, where an estimated 35% of adults smoke, a rate three times higher than the national average. Smoking is a leading cause of cancer and heart disease, which are the top two causes of death in the United States.

To address the gap in programs for individuals who are not connected to hospitals and health systems, health department employees and Cleveland hospital officials received training to become certified facilitators through the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking course. This training equips facilitators with evidence-based strategies and skills to lead group cessation classes. The training was financially supported by Case Western Reserve University.

Following the training, health department staff members collaborated with partner agencies to pilot the program at various community sites in the city. For example, University Hospitals Glenville Wellness Center started offering group counseling tobacco prevention sessions over seven weeks in January. The classes aim to generate interest from residents and have them seek out support and share their expectations with the program.

The tobacco cessation classes are expected to roll out in June with limited class sizes. Residents who are interested in participating can request more information by completing an interest form. Katrese Minor, director of community initiatives at the health department, explained that this initiative is about reaching people who may not have access to other resources and providing them with a supportive environment to quit smoking for good.