NORTHUMBERLAND -- Local residents trying to quit smoking can now take advantage of free counselling support and nicotine replacement therapy through the Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP) program.
The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit has partnered with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport to roll out the STOP program, which aims to reduce tobacco smoking in the province by increasing the use of smoking cessation medication and other resources.
"Sometimes people are reluctant to quit smoking because of the cost of nicotine replacement therapies," said Dr. Peter Selby, clinical director of addiction programs at CAMH and principal investigator of the STOP study.
"With our program we eliminate the barrier to treatment and enable people to begin the quitting process so they may be able to prevent the onset of serious illnesses brought on by smoking."
In addition to providing free resources such as nicotine patches, gum, inhalers and lozenges, STOP offers educational material to encourage participants to make broader changes to improve their health.
"Smokers who are ready to quit frequently need support," said Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion and Sport. "We are ensuring that they have access to effective support to help them along the way."
Smokers who wish to participate in the STOP program are invited to attend one of three upcoming workshops to be held Wednesday, Dec. 15 in Campbellford from 6 to 9 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 16, from noon to 3 p.m. in Brighton and from 6 to 9 p.m. in Port Hope.
For more information and to see if you qualify for the program call the health unit at 905-885-9100 ext. 329 or 1-866-888-4577 ext. 329.
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