Cancer Institute to Provide Tobacco Control Program

Since October 1, 2007, all State supported tobacco prevention, cessation, compliance, and outreach services throughout the Northeast Health District are managed through Tobacco Free Northeast PA through a contract with the PA Department of Health. Tobacco Free Northeast PA has contracted with the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute to coordinate grass roots level services and outreach throughout Lackawanna County in collaboration with local social service and healthcare professionals, policymakers, school districts, law enforcement professionals, businesses, and residents.

The initiative involved partnerships with schools to promote prevention, the District Attorney’s office on compliance and area service organizations and businesses on secondhand smoke-related issues.

As part of the Lackawanna Tobacco Control Program, smoking cessation counseling services are being scheduled on an ongoing basis for both groups and individuals to encourage quitting among adults and young people.

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is partnering with area agencies to provide smoking cessation counseling services in Lackawanna County in both English and Spanish. These partners are also available to provide “Introduction to Quitting Smoking” presentations to businesses and organizations.

Smoking cessation counseling services are continually available throughout the county. Community members and businesses interested in learning more about these services or who are looking to sign up for cessation counseling should contact the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute at (570) 941-7984. Onsite counseling is available to all area businesses for their employees.




Professional Education Opportunities:
Tobacco Dependence Training- 4 hour training for Tobacco Cessation Providers-those who will be doing individual or group counseling and providing direct care Tobacco Cessation Services

Every Smoker/Every Time- a 1 hour training program for physicians, dentists, nurses and allied health professionals on how to intervene with their patients who use tobacco and help them quit.

Women and Smoking- a 1 hour training program for OBGYN Physicians, nurses and allied health professionals who work with women on how to intervene with those who use smoke and help them quit

Keep Us Healthy- a 45 minute presentation for parents, teachers, outreach workers, home visitors, childcare providers or anyone who works with children providing information on the health effects of second hand smoke on children.

For more information about these programs, please contact Stacey Velez, Tobacco Outreach Coordinator by calling (570) 941-7984 or by e-mail at tobacco@cancernepa.org.