December 2019 Volume 1, Issue 8
ARMC Tobacco Cessation Department
NEW-LUNG Newsletter
The Great American Smoke Out
Group photo of contributors to Great American Smoke Out.
November 2019 - NEW-LUNG staff, Caren and Khoi attended the Great American Smoke Out on November 21 in Anaheim at the Ponderosa Community Center, hosted by Cal-Optima. Our fellow Anaheim partners from the Orange County Tobacco Education Coalition were also in attendance. This year’s theme was “Escape the Vape!” focusing on how to quit vaping.
The students were fascinated with the tar jar and educational tools, such as the giant cigarette displaying the chemical content. They were enthusiastic about the hands-on learning opportunities provided at the event. Caren and Khoi asked the students if they knew any adults that smoked and distributed information to pass along to these adults.
The event featured live entertainment, photobooths, games, snacks, informational presentations, and cessation services. Three people were eager to quit and received NEW-LUNG cessation services. Attendees who received NEW-LUNG cessation services also received a cold turkey sandwich as a reward for starting their quit journey. We wish the new quitters the best of luck!
In November, we helped 301 people quit smoking!
221 Adults Served
80 Youths Served
Upcoming Classes
St. Joseph Hospital
1120 W. La Veta Ave., Orange
January 6, 13, 27, & February 3
Fountain Valley Regional Hospital
11250 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley
E. Tower Oncology Library - 4th Floor
January 7 & 14
HOAG Hospital - Irvine
1 Hoag Dr., Newport Beach
Cancer Center
January 10, 17, 24, 31, & February 7
Calendar Highlights
Dec. 21 - Winter Solstice
Dec. 23 - Hanukkah
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve
Dec. 25 - Christmas Day
Dec. 31 - New Year’s Eve
Quit Tip: Avoid Caffeine.
Try drinking decaffeinated tea instead of coffee during the first two weeks of quitting.
Have You Seen Us?
From September to October, a NEW-LUNG billboard went up to promote tobacco cessation services to the immediate Anaheim area. It was located at the intersection of Lincoln & Brookhurst, next to Jiffy Lube.
Recognize this billboard? It’s us again on the corner of La Palma and Euclid at the Mobile Gas Station. Keep your eye out for the NEW-LUNG billboard from now until March 2020.
Meet Adrian Morales
Spanish Tobacco Cessation Specialist
Staff Spotlight
When I graduated, I wanted to be a physical therapist. But at the time, I was at crossroads. Seeing the coverage about the annual California fires felt like a calling. I need to be out there fighting the fire and saving the community. Do I continue on this path of physical therapy or follow my heart and listen to the calling…? This past year, I have dedicated myself to exporing the possibility of becoming involved with the fire department. Deep down, I feel like this is what I’m truly destined to do.
Being part of NEW-LUNG has been the highlight of this year. I’m so grateful to be able to graduate and immediately have the opportunity to test the waters of working in public health. This position with NEW-LUNG allowed me to see if this is what I want to do - and it totally IS! Being in a public health-related position has solidified my desire to help people in any way I can. I have been challenged in so many ways, and I will continue to learn and make strives to provide health equity to all.
Have You Heard Us?
The Korean NEW-LUNG podcast is now available!
The NEW-LUNG podcast provides a brief overview of the topics discussed during classes. Participants are given a copy of the podcast to serve as a refresher if they need extra support at home. Some people are not ready to quit, or they may be curious as to what we talk about in our classes. The podcast is a sample so people can have an idea of what is discussed during cessation services.
NEW-LUNG podcasts are now available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean. The Farsi podcast is in the works, so stay tuned! Listen to the podcast on our Podcast Page.
NEW-LUNG Testimonials
In Collaboration With: Shannon Halbert from Junipero Serra High School
I am Shannon Halbert, the counselor at Junipero Serra High School in San Juan Capistrano. We have been working with NEW-LUNG for multiple years, trying to get our students off tobacco. Tobacco is one of the hardest substances to quit, and they have helped our students not only see the dangers of tobacco but give real- life suggestions on how to quit and maintain a life without cigarettes or vaping. I truly believe that if they have helped just one student stop vaping or smoking, then all of the classes were well worth it. I still get the few students who want to be in the class again, even when they don’t vape anymore, just because they enjoyed it so much. That doesn’t happen too often. Jenny Birondo has been a wonderful addition to our school, and I am grateful she takes this subject seriously and delivers it with up to date information in a fun and exciting way. Thank you NEW-LUNG, for all you have done for our students!”
I’ve been a smoker for just under 10 years now. I unsuccessfully tried quitting on my own and finally reached a point where I was sick and tired of doing the same thing without results.
When I heard about NEW-LUNG’s program, I reached out and received new resources I would not have found myself. I got a package in the mail and got phone counseling with Caren. She answered all my questions, and she helped me dig to find the reasons why I chose to smoke. We created healthy and useful distractions for myself and learned new habits like exercising, which promotes health rather than dwelling on the thought of not smoking.
We practiced breathing techniques to increase lung capacity and revitalize the damage I’ve done to myself in the past 10 years. Adrian, Caren, and Rhonda were helpful and encouraged me to go in the right direction without judgment. I’m proud to say that I’m two months free of cigarettes and have cut back on e-cigarette usage. I’m actually nearing the point of quitting that as well! -Lance Farr
Please RSVP if you would like to sign up.
CALL 1-866-NEW LUNG (639-5864)
Free quit vaping classes are available.
*Must attend ALL CLASSES of 5 session class series.
Participants receive a FREE SUPPLY OF NICOTINE PATCHES.
Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency/Tobacco Use Prevention Program.