TYH: What Helps to Butt Out in New Year

Jan 2, 2018 | 6:48 PM

It’s now 2018, and many of us have set New Years resolutions. On today’s To Your Health, Catherine Hansen has more on to help those looking to butt out for good.

 

 

 

 

(Announcer:)
And now, “To Your Health”. Brought to you by Hart Drugs, Third Avenue Pharmacy and the Phoenix Pharmacy.

(Catherine Hansen – Reporter:)
Studies show seven out of 10 smokers would like to quit for good, and the new year is as good as a time as any. Here in northern BC, just over twenty percent of our population smokes.

(Nancy Viney – Tobacco Reduction Co-Ordinator:)
“Any time is a good time to quit smoking. It’s the leading cause of preventable death and disease and disability, so anything that will help you be motivated to quit. In the new year, you might be wanting to improve your health and quitting smoking is the best thing to do.”

(Hansen:)
One way to tackle smoking is to develop a quitting plan. That can include picking a quit-date, letting loved ones know your plans, listing your reasons to quit smoking, figuring out what your triggers are, having places to turn for help. And here in BC, there is support.

(Viney:)
“All British Columbians have access to excellent services for counselling and free nicotine-replacement therapy. Quit Now Services you can access online at www.quitnow, or you can text 654321, or you can call 811 to contact Quit Now.”

(Hansen:)
Nicotine-replacement therapy has shown to help those who want to quit, and here in BC, it is available free of charge.

(Viney:)
“Pharmacotherapy medications do help you quit smoking. They double the chances of quitting. There are nicotine-replacement therapies such as patches, gum, inhalers, lozenges and a spray. Most of these products are covered for twelve weeks for British Columbians each calendar year.”

(Hansen:)
Viney says those who are turning to vaping should be careful as well, as some products contain nicotine, and are fairly new and untested as to how they affect your health.

(Viney:)
“It may be safer than smoking, but probably best to avoid all of these products. Most people do want to quit smoking. Think about having more money in your pocket. Tobacco costs about $300 dollars a month for a pack-a-day habit.”

(Hansen:)
To your health, Catherine Hansen, CKPG News.

 

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