Smokers can’t refuse new QUIT offer

For years, UB’s QUIT program attained an impressive success rate in helping smokers — especially heavy smokers — stop the deadly habit and stay off tobacco permanently.

Now, the program is making victory over tobacco even easier — and more affordable.

The QUIT Program, which is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, is offer a $15 discount for those smokers who sign up for its September or October group. The discounted price for either month stands at $50.

The trained clinicians running the successful program have helped 90 percent of individuals stay quit one month after completing the program — a bargain for people who have struggled with smoking and need an effective plan to quit, for good.

“Our combination of group therapy and medication has been proven to result in the highest likelihood of staying quit,” says Lisa Germeroth, founder of the QUIT program. Germeroth and all QUIT clinicians are advanced clinical psychology students who are working toward earning their PhDs and are familiar with the state-of-the-art methods that get results that last.

Each QUIT program consists of seven sessions over a three-week period. The group therapy sessions take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and Friday of Week Two.

“This program design offers the support needed to get through the initial quitting process and the resources needed to stay quit,” says Sharon Radomski, QUIT clinician.

Sessions will run in September, October, November and December, and begin the first full week of each month. The exception is the September group, which begins Monday, Sept. 8.

The program is open to anyone 18 years or older. While it is geared toward heavier smokers (10 or more cigarettes a day), the program also has been successful in helping lighter smokers quit.

For registration and information, call the UB Psychological Services Center at 716-645-3697. The UB clinicians point out that even before the fall discount, the cost of being a nonsmoker is priceless.

“Get a head start on your New Year’s resolution to quit smoking and call us today to see if you are eligible for our program," says Germeroth. “Remember, it is never too early or too late to quit smoking.”