Kick-The-Nic group programs are a great opportunity for Hawaii Island residents to get the help they need NOW to stop smoking.
The group program format is structured to be fun, informative and motivational. Smokers who are serious about quitting smoking come together to help and support each other. Combined with expert facilitation and state-of-the-art medications, the groups are designed to optimize success. All group participants will be given information about effective medications and therapies, as well as given FREE NICOTINE PATCHES, GUM, and AND LOSENGES.
The Kick-The-Nic group programs include 7 group treatment sessions that cover:
- Developing Inner Motivations
- Trigger Replacement – The New You
- Quit Day Ceremony
- Coping Techniques
- Exercise and Fitness
- Medication Information
- Social Support
Please see our Sample Program Flyer for the Hilo Program to better understand our program content.
Cara Sadira, MNM, CTTS, CH, is the Tobacco Treatment Specialist for the Hilo programs, as well as the Founder and Director for the Tobacco Education & Assistance Program. She is also an ex-smoker. She has been operating similar group programs for over four years in the state of Hawaii, and helped over 400 people to quit smoking FOR GOOD. She has been trained at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, the University of Arizona, and the Mayo Clinic as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist. She has coordinated and attended several CME trainings for Physicians on tobacco treatment and effective pharmacology. She has trained over 175 people as Tobacco Interventionists, and as a result of her group programs, and the work of her trained interventionists, is responsible for hundreds of quit attempts on the islands.
Alyssum Mensoff, CTTS, is the Tobacco Treatment Specialist for the Pahoa and Keaau Programs. She is also a psychology student at UH Hilo. She will be running programs at the Pahoa Family Health Center, as well as in the Keaau Family Health Center. She has been certified through the Tobacco Treatment Specialist training program at the Mayo Clinic which has given her a wealth of knowledge with tobacco addiction and treatment .
Eddie Ancheta, Certified Facilitator for Kick-the-Nic! Programs, has an associates degree in Criminology. As he also currently works with HCCC, he is experienced in supporting community members who are making serious attempts at personal change. He is also fluent in the Ilocano language. He is the Outreach Specialist for TEAP, connecting with churches, private workplace, and the community en general to service Ilocano as well as English speaking community members who would like to quit smoking.