Quitting smoking happens one day at a time.
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Quitting smoking begins by make that first call to Duarte, who either works with clients in a classroom setting or on a one on one basis.
From there, Duarte assesses each person's need in order to begin the process of quitting tobacco.
Duarte said that for people who qualify, there are vouchers for nicotine replacement therapy such as patches, lozenges or gum.
In order to qualify, a person must be an Arizona resident and be in economic need. The state will then pay for four weeks of nicotine replacement therapy.
For those that don't qualify, the program provides vouchers that pay for 50 percent of the NRT, Duarte said.
Part of the program involves preparing the individual for methods of coping and for the different types of reactions that occur when a person goes through nicotine withdrawal, he said.
On Jan. 29, 2007 Duarte will begin a cessation class at 5p.m.
"I will be their quitting coach and I hope to inspire them to quit," he said.
Duarte said he also goes to elementary and middle schools to help spread the word on tobacco use prevention.
"If we can get to them early, there's a big chance that they won't start smoking when they become adults," he said.
In his classroom visits, he points out how tobacco companies use the media to target young people to start smoking.
For more information call the Cochise County Health Department at 805-5607.
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