Panhandle Health District

                                                               8500 N. Atlas Road         Hayden, Idaho  83835

www.phd1.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        Date:     April 8, 2009                  

Contact:                                                                    Released by: Lora Whalen, Acting Director        

Cynthia Taggart

Public Information Officer

(208) 415-5108

(208) 818-7288 (cell)

PHD Provides Free Help to Stop Smoking

              To meet the high demand for tobacco-cessation classes, Panhandle Health District is offering free courses starting this month in all five northern counties.

              The classes meet once each week for an hour for four weeks. They address nicotine addiction, battling withdrawal symptoms, techniques for dealing with a relapse, strategies for coping with urges and much more.

              Participants can register for a class by calling Linda Harder at 415-5143 or e-mailing her a lharder@phd1.idaho.gov. Classes are available in:

• Kootenai County at the Panhandle Health District, 8500 N. Atlas Rd. in Hayden. The first four-week class starts Monday, April 13 at 3:30 p.m. A second four-week class will start Monday, May 11, at 3:30 p.m.
• Benewah County at the Wellness Center in Plummer. A four-week course will start Monday, April 13, at 1 p.m.
• Bonner County. The first four-week class starts Wednesday, April 15 at 6:15 p.m. A second four-week class will start May 27 at 6:15 p.m. Participants will be directed to the class location when they register.
•  Boundary County at Boundary Community Hospital in Bonners Ferry. A four-week class will start Monday, May 11 at 6:15 p.m.
• Shoshone County at the Shoshone Medical Center Wellness Building, 208 Oregon St. in Kellogg. A four-week class will start Tuesday, April 21 at 6 p.m.