Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Jan. 16, 2023
This National Non-Smoking Week, January 15 to January 21, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) encourages tobacco users and vapers to make a quit attempt, even if you haven’t been successful in the past!
It can take between seven and 30 attempts before you break the addiction for good. Quitting takes practice, so practice often. Your perseverance will pay off, since quitting smoking or vaping is one of the best things you can do for your health. Some benefits of quitting include lower blood pressure, improved senses of taste and smell, and a reduced risk of heart attack and coronary heart disease. Immediate benefits of quitting can be experienced within 20 minutes after your last cigarette and can continue to be seen for up to 15 years.
Making a quit attempt is especially important as COVID-19, influenza and RSV continue to circulate in our community. Respiratory viruses impact an individual’s lungs and quitting smoking or vaping can help reduce your chances of experiencing more severe symptoms from these illnesses. Research shows that if smokers become sick with COVID-19, they are at greater risk of severe symptoms, ICU admissions, and death.
Don’t quit quitting! There are many supports and services available to help people quit.
- HPEPH’s “We Can Quit” and “STOP Addictions” programs are available by calling 1-800-267-2803, ext. 600, or 613-966-5500, ext. 600. Free nicotine patches, gum and lozenges are available for eligible individuals.
- Trained quit specialists are available by calling Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
- Online resources can be found at smokershelpline.ca where you can also chat with a trained quit coach.
- Canadian Addictions and Mental Health also offers the STOP on the Net program, which offers online support and four weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy nicotinedependenceclinic.
- Youth friendly support is available through the Quash app at quashapp.com, and local high school students can contact their school Public Health Nurse to discuss quit options. Students should contact their guidance office to learn more.
For more information about any of these support resources, you can contact HPEPH’s Tobacco Talk Line at 613-966-5500, ext. 600, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/vaping or hpePublicHealth.ca/quit-smoking-program.
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Media Contacts:
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Communications Team
communications@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks
