Trying to kick the cigarette habit?  Make an early New Year’s resolution to quit smoking by registering for the free Cooper/Clayton Method smoking cessation classes at Dearborn County Hospital.

The next series of classes will begin on Tuesday, January 3, in the conference rooms of Dearborn County Hospital.  Classes are scheduled on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. for 13 weeks.

Funding for the program is provided by the Dearborn County Hospital Auxiliary.  Tony Escamilla, R.C.P., a Respiratory Care Practitioner who is himself a graduate of the Cooper/Clayton Method, will lead the group.

“You will not be asked to quit smoking at the first meeting,” Mr. Escamilla emphasized.  “The introductory session is merely informational to allow you to learn more about the classes.”

The program is named after Thomas Cooper, D.D.S., and Richard Clayton, Ph.D., who introduced the method in 1985.  Dr. Cooper, a retired professor of dentistry from the University of Kentucky, quit smoking after 36 years of cigarette use by utilizing the program they had devised together.  Dr. Clayton is a retired professor of sociology from the University of Kentucky and is also Chairman of the Tobacco Etiology Research Network, a group of scientists studying tobacco use and nicotine dependence.

Their method of quitting was patented in 1991.  It is not “cold turkey” but instead offers participants a choice of programs using nicotine gum, patches or other aids, along with group support, behavior modification and decreasing use of tobacco.  Although the classes are free, smoking cessation products are not provided for participants.  Some insurance plans may cover the cost of smoking cessation products.

For more information or to register, please call Mr. Escamilla at (812) 926-1582.  Participants may register in advance or on the first night of class.