Citrus - Hernando - Hillsborough - Pasco - Pinellas

Gulfcoast North AHEC offers two Group Quit programs to tobacco users, free of charge: a one-time, two-hour Tools to Quit class and a four-week multi-session, one-hour Quit Smoking Now class. With these classes participants receive up to four weeks of *FREE* nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (patches, gum, or lozenge). Below you can find flyers for our in-person and virtual classes. Please feel free to download and share with the community.

Providers can request their own automated referral form to refer clients more efficiently. By clicking on the link below your organization can request a unique automated referral form link. When using this automated referral form your clients will automatically be referred to Gulfcoast North AHEC and our trained staff will follow up with the client.

We provide the necessary support and guidance to help your clients begin a tobacco free life. Group Quit participants will be eligible to receive 2 to 4 weeks of FREE quit aids, including nicotine patches, gum or lozenges, when available and medically appropriate.

For more information, please call

813-929-1000 or email info@gnahec.org

Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is partnering with USF AHEC and Gulf Coast South AHEC to host a webinar. If you haven’t signed up for this free webinar on The Impact of Tobacco, Vaping, Hookah and Cannabis on Brain Health, now is the perfect time! Join us on October 21, 2025, at 12:00pm - 1:00pm for this very informative webinar. (Click below to register). We look forward to seeing you!

On September 20, 2025, Gulfcoast North AHEC was proud to participate in the Hillsborough County Schools Employee Health Fair - a lively, well-attended event centered on wellness and community engagement.

Our very own Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Andrea Daigle (pictured left), sparked meaningful conversations with attendees about the dangers of tobacco use and shared valuable resources to support those ready to begin their quit journey. Andrea also provided school staff with tools and information they can pass along to parents and families in their communities.

The day was filled with energy, learning, and connection - making the event a resounding success!

Just a few days later, on September 26, 2025, Gulfcoast North AHEC was also present at the Gulfeagle Employee Health Fair, also held in Hillsborough County. There, Tobacco Treatment Specialist Samantha Staley (pictured right) engaged with employees about the risks of tobacco use and encouraged them to register for upcoming tobacco cessation classes.

Both events offered fantastic opportunities to educate, connect, and support healthier communities - and we were honored to be a part of them!

The Healthy Start Coalition is looking to register clients for their Spanish speaking childbirth classes. They are specifically looking for clients who are at least 25 weeks pregnant (any pregnant client around 20 weeks or further along can also participate) and are planning to have a vaginal delivery. For more information on how to register you can reach out to Ingrid Defillo at: idefillo@healthystartcoalitionpasco.org

Every October, we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to unite advocates across the nation in the effort to end domestic violence. Throughout the month, people are encouraged to wear purple, the color that represents awareness, peace, and support for this cause.

Domestic violence can take many forms and may look different for everyone. It can include:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse or coercion
• Financial abuse
• Technology-facilitated abuse
• Reproductive coercion
• Stalking
• Spiritual abuse

No form of abuse is ever acceptable, and help is available for anyone who needs it. If you or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, call 800-799-SAFE (7233) to be connected with a live advocate, or text START to 88788.

Learn more:

• Types of Abuse - The Hotline
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month - The Hotline