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, B.S., 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 150 people to quit smoking FOR GOOD. She has been trained at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the University of Arizona 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.
Ronnette Gonsalves CTTS, is the Tobacco Treatment Specialist for the Pahoa and Keaau Programs, as well as the Outreach Coordinator. She has been serving the Pahoa community as a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist and Asthma Educator for three years. She will be running programs at the Pahoa Family Health Center, as well as in locations in Keaau. She will be working on translating the programs to Ilocano and Tagalog, and bringing programs out to agricultural farm workers and worksites, as needed.