Wellness Wednesday — Tobacco cessation sessions on campus

Did you know that 70 percent of adult smokers say they want to quit and more than 40 percent try to quit each year?

According to Tom Klingemann, Pharm.D., much of the emphasis on tobacco cessation centers on the addiction of nicotine rather than on the psychological and/or behavioral characteristics of the addiction.

Course schedule The following is schedule of cessation sessions: Session 1 — 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 – Wittson Hall, 3010B; Thursday, Aug. 6 – Wittson Hall, 3010B; and Tuesday, Aug. 11 – Wittson Hall, 3042. Session 2 — 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 – Wittson Hall, 3034; Thursday, Aug. 20 -Wittson Hall, 3010B; and Thursday, Aug. 27 – Wittson Hall, 3010B. Session 3 — 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 – Wittson Hall, 3042; Wednesday, Sept. 16 – Wittson Hall, 3042; and Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Wittson Hall, 3042. Session 4 — 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 – Wittson Hall, 3042; Tuesday, Oct. 20 – Wittson Hall, 3010B; and Tuesday, Oct. 27 – Wittson Hall, 3042.

While there can be a physical addiction associated with tobacco use, there also is a strong psychological addiction component, as well.

Unfortunately there is no quick fix or “magic pill” that can get people to quit, he said.

Dr. Klingemann, a pharmacist at The Nebraska Medical Center and certified smoking cessation counselor with more than 10 years of experience, will provide group counseling sessions for UNMC and UNMC-Physicians’ employees, spouses and dependents.

Classes will consist of three, one-hour sessions for a total fee of $15.

Please pre-register through Jayme Nekuda, Ph.D., at 559-8962 or jnekuda@unmc.edu for the session you plan to attend.

Payments can be routed to Dr. Nekuda (ADC, ZIP 5470) or dropped by the Administration Center, Room 2011.