For Immediate Release
November 04, 2004

Contact:
Lanelle Roussel
(207) 774-5801
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 883-6083
E-mail: beryl@wolfenews.com
Web Site: http://www.martinspoint.org

In November of every year the American Cancer Society sponsors the Great American Smoke Out to encourage smokers to quit for one day, raising awareness of the health risks associated with smoking. This year’s Great American Smoke Out will be on November 18.

Quitting smoking is not easy. But programs like those offered at Martin's Point Health Care can help. The non-profit healthcare organization offers a weekly smoking cessation support group that is open to the public and free of charge. The group meets at the Martin's Point facility in Portland on Veranda Street and in Windham.

Participants do not need to be a Martin's Point patient to take advantage of the program, which provides information and support for individuals either trying to quit or interested in learning about quitting. Topics covered include nicotine patches and other methods, dealing with weight gain, health risks and emotional and psychological concerns.

Registration is not required and the program is free. The sessions are held weekly except on holidays every Monday at 5 p.m. in Portland, at the Health Education Center at Martin's Point, 331 Veranda Street, and on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the Martin's Point location in Windham. People seeking advice and help quitting smoking also are encouraged to call the Maine Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-207-1230.

Martin's Point, a not-for-profit health care provider with facilities in Portland, Brunswick and Windham, Maine, and in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, serves patients in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, radiology, cardiology, and mammography, as well as other fields.

The Martin's Point Health Education Center has a variety of related resource materials that includes publications and videos. The center also offers information and classes that focus on a host of other topics, ranging from weight loss to disease management. For additional information, visit online at www.martinspoint.org.

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