OGDENSBURG -- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and the Tobacco Cessation Center of Northern New York is offering a smoking cessation program in the hospital’s auditorium from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The class dates and topics are: Aug. 5, Learning to Become a Non-Smoker; Aug. 19, Preparing for Quitting; Sept. 2, Smoke Free; Sept. 16, Remaining a Non-Smoker; Sept. 30, Developing a Personal Action Plan for Staying Quit; and Oct. 14, Your Future as a Non-Smoker. Participants are welcome to come to the classes even if they haven’t attended the earlier sessions.

Those who cannot attend the workshop, if eligible, may receive free telephone counseling and nicotine patches. Contact the New York State Smokers’ Quitline at 1-866-NY QUITS (1-866-697-8487.) Trained specialists at the Quitline are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Off-hours callers can leave a message and a Quitline specialist will call them back. Callers can also order a free stop smoking guide or listen to the Quitline’s daily quit tip.

Free nicotine patches and gum will be available to eligible participants.

Registration is required. To register for this free program at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, contact the Tobacco Cessation Center of Northern New York at 261-5436 or the Claxton-Hepburn Community Relations Department at 393-8880, ext. 5251.