Smoking Cessation
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in Canada and quitting is the single best thing that you can do to improve your health.
Of course, knowing the health risks doesn’t make it any easier to quit. Breaking both the physical dependence of nicotine and the social habit of smoking daily requires dealing with the symptoms of withdrawal as well as changing behaviours.
To do both successfully requires that you approach your quit attempt as a process rather than a singular event. By developing a quit plan you can identify potential pit falls and solutions ahead of time. For example coming up with triggers that are linked to your smoking such as coffee, alcohol, or stress and planning how to change routines or deal with life’s challenges differently can go a long way to helping you be successful
Getting support when you are quitting has been proven to double or triple the rate of success.
This support can take many forms including:
- Use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in the form of a patch, lozenge, or inhaler.
- Talk to your doctor about quitting and ask if the use of drugs such as Zyban or Champix is right for you.
- Get a family or friend to be a Quit Buddy and provide you with support while you are quitting
- Participate in one on one or group counselling (Counselling is available at Central Community Health Centre or Elgin St. Thomas Public Health free of charge)
Call or email Smokers Helpline. It is a free service operated by Cancer Care Ontario that provides advice, support, and information for anyone wishing to quit. Call 1-877-513-5333 or visit smokershelpline.ca
If you have questions on quitting or need support, please make an apointment with your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner to join our smoking cessation program.
