THE new 'Helping U 2 Quit Program' is a free, evidence-based quit smoking support group run by qualified facilitators. The program is a community health initiative being delivered by CHEGS Inc, in partnership with Northern NSW Local Health District Health Promotion.
The program will help people who smoke to develop their own skills and knowledge about smoking, how to quit, and how to stay a non-smoker in a supportive environment.
Tobacco smoking still causes more disease than any other risky behaviour with it damaging almost every organ of the body. At least 50% of all smokers die prematurely.
But, with quitting, comes good news - if people can quit smoking by the time they are 30 years of age, they can avoid the risk of dying from smoking-related disease by 97%. And if they quit by 40, then they avoid 90% of the risk.
"This is why we are providing this program - to help people to quit smoking early so they can live healthier and longer lives. These groups will provide face-to-face support to strengthen quit attempts that GPs, pharmacists, Quitline or others are assisting with and they will increase the likelihood of people successfully quitting", Ms Adams added.
Helping U 2 Quit will be available in Ballina, Byron Bay, Casino, Kingscliff, Kyogle, Lennox Head, Lismore, Maclean, Murwillumbah, Pottsville, Tweed Heads and Yamba soon, numbers permitting.
0 comments:
Post a Comment