London, ON – Starting the New Year with a clean slate is why so many people make resolutions each time we turn the calendar over. Whether it’s being more physically active or losing weight, many New Year’s resolutions focus on improving health, and there’s no greater health benefit than breaking an addiction to tobacco. However, kicking tobacco can be a challenge, which is why the Middlesex-London Health Unit is offering workshops tomorrow and this Thursday, which provide support and free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to those who want to quit.
“For many people who smoke or chew, making a New Year’s resolution to quit is an attainable goal”, says Linda Stobo, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control Manager with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “When you’re trying to quit a well-established addiction, if you put a quit plan in place and you have access to counselling and medication to help you curb your nicotine cravings, the likelihood of success can increase substantially”.
The goal of the Health Unit’s workshops is to support those who are ready to quit smoking now, or who plan to quit after the holidays. The workshops supply participants with free NRT in the form of “the patch” and nicotine gum, as well as educational support materials and access to counselling all through their quit attempt. Through the free NRT, workshops and support, the Health Unit will also encourage participants to make other improvements to benefit their overall health and well-being.
The workshops will be held in London on December 10 from 5:30 to 8:00 and December 12 from 10:00 to 12:30. Those who are interested in participating must call the Health Unit at 519-663-5317, extension 2675 to determine whether they are eligible to take part.
For more information visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit's website at www.healthunit.com.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext.2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Linda Stobo, Program Manager, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control, Middlesex-London Health Unit