Marshall’s Wellness Center and the Cabell-Huntington Health Department teamed up to sponsor a free smoking cessation class for the community Wednesday afternoon at the recreation center on campus.

While the class was for those considering quitting smoking cigarettes, those who have already quit, or those who just needed extra support, Francis Quesenberry, program assistant at the Wellness Center, said their doors are always open to the community.

“It’s hard, I think people need support in so many different aspects of quitting,” Quesenberry said. “I think people need social support or having a group of people around you that’s trying to do it or have done it. I think helps a lot.”

Aliyah Mickey, graduate assistant at the Wellness Center, said the class was a way for people to get resources they may not have been able to find on their own.

“I know the class offers services and online programs and all sorts of different ways for people to find a way that helps them quit that caters to and is individualized for them,” Mickey said.

Mickey said if any community members need extra help, Cabell-Huntington Health Department also offers smoking cessation classes, and the Wellness Center provides a handful of resources on-hand as well.

“We are partners with them so we have plenty of brochures and quit-spit kits and a bunch of resources here at the Wellness Center at Marshall,” Mickey said. “We also have ways for them to help start developing their own quit plan which is individualized for them.”

The Wellness Center and Cabell-Huntington Health Department have also started implementing the use of apps and online sources for around-the-clock assistance.

“There are several apps, since we’re in the digital age,” Quesenberry said. “There’s a quit line, and it will direct you to where you can get free nicotine replacement sources if you need them and things like that.”

Mickey said any meetings at the Wellness Center are completely confidential and no appointment is necessary.

Cabell-Huntington Health Department offers three different tobacco cessation clinics: American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking, Kaiser Permanente and American Cancer Society Fresh Start, which can be taught on location upon request.

In addition to these clinics, services can be accessed from home through West Virginia’s tobacco cessation hotline, which is also free to the public.

Hanna Pennington can be contacted at [email protected].