Tobacco Treatment Program for the Uninsured

The Rhode Island Department of Health funds the Rhode Island Health Center Assocation to administer a Tobacco Treatment Program for smokers without health insurance looking for help to stop smoking.

Ten weekly, one-hour support sessions and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in the form of patches are provided FREE to those who qualify.
Weekly groups offer support, education, information, behavioral coping strategies, and practical skills to help participants develop problem-solving skills and ultimately overcome their addiction to nicotine.

Participants must be 18 years of age and residents of Rhode Island.
Attendance at group sessions is a requirement to receive free NRT.
Only those without health insurance are eligible.
Tobacco Treatment Specialists facilitate all sessions.
Call Sally Mendzela, The Cancer & Tobacco Disparities Program Manager for more information on this program at 274-1771 x 204 or email at: SMendzela@rihca.org.

Registration

To find a tobacco treatment group in your area, click here.

Below are links to helpful resources

Cigarette smoking in the U.S. has declined dramatically since the Surgeon General first warned against it.But tobacco use (smoking and other use of tobacco products) remains the single most preventable cause of premature death in the U.S. Some groups smoke tobacco more than others...for more information go to the HRSA tobacco prevention & cessation program
According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, tobacco use kills more than 1,600 adult Rhode Islanders each year, sickens thousands more, costs the state $506 million annually in healthcare-related costs, and kills 140 adult non-smokers from second-hand smoke exposure...for more information go to the Rhode Island Department of Health
Toll of Tobacco in the United States of America fact sheet from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
University of Massachusetts Medical School: Center for Tobacco Treatment Research and Training (CTTRT)
smokefree.gov
truth - American Legacy Foundation
ex - American Legacy Foundation

You can quit smoking

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Health Center Facts

In 2009, Rhode Island Community health centers served approximately 120,000 residents in Rhode Island. In addition, community health centers provided over 500,000 patient visits.

The 2008 Rhode Island Health Center Data book is available to download. Visit our Fact Sheets and Reports page to read all of our publications!

RIHCA - Rhode Island Health Center Association