London, ON – The Middlesex-London Health Unit wants to hear from London and Middlesex smokers who want to kick their addiction. Much like its earlier STOP Program, the Health Unit has free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), or the “Patch”, for individuals who qualify for the program.
The NRT is being made available through a partnership between the Health Unit and the London District Dental Society. The Dental Society is supporting the NRT program as part of Oral Health Month, highlighting the benefits to quitting smoking, including an improvement in overall oral health. Those who would like to participate in the program must call the Health Unit in advance to see if they qualify before taking part in a workshop to be held May 7th.
“The demand from our previous STOP Study workshops shows there are a lot of people in our community for whom the cost of nicotine replacement therapy is a barrier to them trying to quit smoking,” says Linda Stobo, Program Manager with the Health Unit’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control Team. “We’ve got room at our workshop on May 7th for a few dozen people, so we’re asking them to contact us as soon as possible to make sure they qualify.”
The Health Unit program provides the “Patch” free for five weeks. The “Patch” is a practical support that provides relief from nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which often accompany attempts to stop smoking. To see if they are eligible to participate, and to register for the workshop, those interested can call the Health Unit at 519-663-5317 ext. 2673
In addition to providing NRT, participants will be offered information and educational material designed to encourage broader lifestyle changes that can improve health. Information about physical activity and proper nutrition can improve oral hygiene and contribute positively to an individual’s success in quitting smoking. As part of the program, participants will be taught how to use the “Patch” effectively and will be given other quit tips and strategies to increase the likelihood of success in kicking the tobacco addiction for good.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext.2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Linda Stobo, Chronic Disease and Tobacco Control Manager