KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – The Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) has collaborated with the American Cancer Society to offer free training on how to quit smoking.

“Smoking addiction is a disease that requires professional help and not many persons are able to quit on their own so the JCS wants to extend this help to the country,” said Fundraising and Public Relations Officer at the JCS, Shullian Brown.

Brown was addressing a JIS Think Tank today (November 19), against the background of the observance of Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November and the celebration of the JCS’ 60th anniversary.

Brown noted that the training, which is ongoing, is one way of heightening awareness about lung cancer.

She is encouraging the public to take advantage of the training sessions, which teach smokers how to quit and guide non smokers on how to assist persons to shake the habit.

Noting that there has been an increase in smoking among the youth, she made a special appeal for school administrators to be part of the training sessions.

“We want to nip it in the bud before they become lifetime smokers,”  Brown said.

She informed that the JCS has conducted several youth fora and education sessions that address the dangers of smoking and “is willing to visit schools to train school administrators and students on how to identify someone, who has a smoking addiction, as well as share the dangers of smoking and its impact on the lungs.”

Lung Cancer Awareness Month is being observed under the theme: ‘Life is too precious to go up in smoke.’

Activities include the inaugural staging of a Relay for Life event on Saturday, November 28, on the grounds of the JCS’ office in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth.

Brown is encouraging the public to come out and take part in this “tobacco and alcohol free” event.