Smokers need not rely on willpower alone
| Health and Fitness |
By Laura Johnston
“Stopping smoking is the easiest thing in the world – I’ve done it a hundred times.”
If this Mark Twain quote describes you, you are not alone. This is the time of year when many smokers pledge to quit smoking, but the decision to quit may be a lot easier than enduring some of the cravings in the process.
With the New Year just days away and yearly resolutions looming, this is a time when many smokers consider butting out. Northern Health’s Tobacco Reduction Program wants you to know FREE resources are available to help. It’s proven that smokers generally need support, whether it's from a formal stop-smoking program or at least informal support from their friends and family. Northern Health would like to promote the programs we endorse that will help you to quit smoking for good this year!
Northern Health’s Nicotine Intervention Counseling Centre (NICC) Program Northern Health’s Nicotine Intervention Counseling Centre (NICC) program can help you reach your goal to live a smoke-free life. We have trained healthcare professionals that work with you to find the right combination of behaviour modification, advice, friendly encouragement and nicotine replacement therapy. As a client of NICC you will receive: Individual Consultation (including helping you to develop a quit plan), Nicotine Replacement Therapy (i.e.: patch, gum and/or inhaler) and Relapse Prevention (follow-up support for one year).
The NICC Program is available in over 20 communities throughout Northern Health. There is no cost for the program. For more information about NICC, contact your local health unit or your local number below:
Northwest: 250-622-6371
Northern Interior: 250-565-7344
Northeast: 250-565-7344
Quitnow Services
QuitNow Services is a quit smoking program provided FREE of charge to all British Columbians. It is operated by the BC Lung Association and funded by the BC Ministry of Health.
QuitNow By Phone is a confidential telephone-based helpline. It is available around the clock and is staffed by specially trained counsellors who are there to listen and to provide support and guidance. The helpline is available in 130 languages. Call 1-877-455-2233. QuitNow.ca is an Internet-based quit smoking service that combines effective methods for quitting smoking with a powerful individualized program. Expert advice, individual counselling and peer support is available anytime and anyplace. Log onto www.quitnow.ca.
QuitNow and Win contest
The BC Lung Association, with help from the Ministry of Health Living and Sport, is once again running the QuitNow & WIN contest to support tobacco users to quit.
Hosted at www.quitnow.ca, the QuitNow & WIN contest uses the ‘buddy system,’ in which friends encourage friends to quit and provide support throughout the quitting process. It’s a great motivator for tobacco users and a positive opportunity for friends and family to reach out to tobacco users they know.
Contest details are all available at www.quitnow.ca or by calling the BC Lung Association at 1-800-665-LUNG (5864).
To be eligible, you must be a BC resident, aged 19 years or older on January 4, 2010 and have used tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco) on a daily basis for at least one year. You may have quit smoking as early as May 1, 2009 and must remain tobacco-free for the contest quit period, January 5, 2010 through and including February 2, 2010.
The grand prize winner will receive a cruise for two to Alaska (or cash equivalent of $2,500) and a gift card valued at $2,500 from HBC, West Jet or Future Shop. There are also a variety of other prizes including regional and age group prizes.
Remember, the registration deadline is January 4th at midnight – so be sure to visit www.quitnow.ca today!
Laura Johnston
Tobacco Reduction Coordinator
Northern Health
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
