Topics/presenters include:
- "Addiction and the Brain" presented by Dr. Andy McLean, medical director of One Center (North Dakota State Hospital, Jamestown, N.D., and The Developmental Center, Grafton, N.D.) and Southeast Human Service Center, Fargo, and clinical professor of neuroscience at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks.
- "Benefits of Quitting, and Techniques and Medications That Can Help People Quit" - presented by Dr. Patrick Stoy, MeritCare allergy/pulmonary and Jay Taylor, MeritCare respiratory therapist
- "Break Away from Nicotine: You Can Do It!" - presented by Chelsey Matter, Fargo Cass Public Health tobacco cessation coordinator
Facts about smoking from the American Heart Association:
- Cigarette smoking has been identified as the most important source of preventable morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Smoking kills an estimated 438,000 Americans every year.
- Of the current 45.1 million smokers, 42.5 percent of them have stopped smoking at least one day in the last year because they were trying to quit completely.
- Smoking costs the United States over $167 billion each year in health care costs.