The Haliburton Kawartha Pine RIdge District Health Unit is promoting a new program to help you go tobacco free.
The Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation Community Program has been shown to reduce smoking rates and tobacco-related deaths.
Through the program, Ontarians 18 and older can receive phone counselling and a free, six-week supply of nicotine patches or lozenges.
Karen Taylor, a public health nurse, says by this point in the new year, many resolutions have been thrown to the wayside, but that this program can help you get back on track.
Taylor adds that National Non-Smoking Week (Jan 17-23) is the perfect time to get started.
You can access this program by following these steps:
To access the program, follow these simple steps:
• Call the Ottawa Model community program at 1-888-645-5405 and leave a message with your contact information. Within two business days, a Nicotine Addiction Treatment Specialist will get back to you to see if you qualify for the program (NOTE: With consent, health care providers can also register their patients for the program).
• If you are eligible for the program, you will be mailed a six-week supply of nicotine patches, lozenges, gum, inhaler or similar product. Regular phone counselling will also be offered to help you through the quitting process.
• As a client, you will receive regular follow-ups either by phone or email to see how you are doing.
