MIAMI – The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprised of 15 denominations and 15.7 million African Americans, has joined with CVS Health and the American Lung Association to help African American Communities in Miami live tobacco-free.

As part of a grant received from CVS Health, NBCI facilitators in Miami have been certified to become American Lung Association (ALA) Freedom from Smoking trainers able to conduct local FFS workshops. These workshops will occur over eight weeks to help provide smokers in the Miami area with the tools they need to successfully quit smoking.

“We are honored to receive a Tobacco Cessation grant from CVS Health in support of local efforts to help members of our community live tobacco-free,” said Rev. Anthony Evans, President of NBCI. “We look forward to hosting our FFS workshops and providing smokers with the resources they need to quit for good.”

The American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking program is designed for anyone who wants to quit smoking and takes participants through modules containing tips and lessons on how to quit smoking. The resulting collaboration will help empower faith-based communities and help more individuals live tobacco-free.

“CVS Health is committed to supporting programs that increase the opportunity and ability for African Americans nationwide to lead healthier lives, regardless of where they live, their economic circumstances or cultural background,” said David Casey, Vice President, Workforce Strategies and Chief Diversity Officer for CVS Health. “We’re proud to support the dedicated work of NBCI, who shares our commitment to providing African Americans and faith-based communities with the resources they need to live tobacco-free lives.”

In September 2014, CVS Health became the first, and remains the only, national retail pharmacy to eliminate the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products from its stores.With NBCI’s overall

Health Emergency Health Model and Comprehensive Tobacco Cessation programs, NBCI and CVS Health can create meaningful outcomes in improving the lives of their shared communities.