2013 Resolution: Stop Smoking Classes in Redwood City, Daly City, San Mateo

Attention tobacco smokers who think about quitting each New Year:

Free smoking cessation classes will be available for San Mateo County residents in January.

The classes are being offered in Redwood City, Daly City and San Mateo by the nonprofit Breathe California, Golden Gate Health Partnership based in Daly City.

Pre-registration for the classes is required and participants must be 18 or older, Ayse Gursoz of Breathe California said.

To encourage pre-registration, the nonprofit is not disclosing the location of the classes.

"We don't want people to just show up," Gursoz said Wednesday in a phone interview. "We want them to register for the classes in advance."

Breathe California released the following schedule info:

Redwood City

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays - Jan. 16 to Feb. 13.

Daly City

10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Saturdays - Jan. 12 to Feb. 9.

San Mateo

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays - Jan. 29 to Feb. 26.

Each class involves six 1.5-hour sessions led by a trained facilitator.

The classes are called "Ash Kickers" and Breathe California representatives tout the program as effective because it includes multiple strategies such as nicotine replacement therapy, behavior modification, and peer support, according to Gursoz.

The program is free for those who live, work, or attend school in San Mateo County, according to Breathe California.

Breathe California is dedicated to fighting lung disease, advocating for clean air, and promoting public health. For more information call (650) 994-5868, or visit www.ggbreathe.org or www.lungsrus.org.

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