Durham, NC - Duke's employee wellness program will honor the success of faculty and staff who have worked to kick the habit of tobacco with celebrations at several locations as part of the fifth anniversary of Duke Medicine going tobacco free.

On Wednesday, July 11, LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee wellness program, will offer quitting tips, and Duke Dining Services will provide free "kick the habit" mocktails from noon to 2 p.m. at the Duke Hospital courtyard and Duke Clinic cafeteria. The events will also take place from noon to 2 p.m. July 18 at the Duke Raleigh Hospital Dogwood Room and Durham Regional Hospital cafeteria.

All employees are welcome to join the events - including smokers trying to quit, former tobacco users and non-users.

"We've seen so many people make life-changing decisions in our programs, so we want to celebrate them and give something back," said Lauren Updyke, health education manager for LIVE FOR LIFE. "We want to show everyone at Duke we're here to help."

Since July 4, 2007, the use of tobacco products has not been permitted inside or outside any Duke Medicine hospital campus, outpatient facility, physicians or administrative offices, or medical and nursing schools.

Find more information about Duke's tobacco cessation programs online.