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Nicotine replacement therapy doubles your chances of quitting, smokers advised
There has never been more support available to smokers who wish to quit so why not make your quit date 31 May, World Smokefree Day. Smokers who want to quit are being encouraged to use nicotine replacement therapy, which will double their chances of successfully quitting.
This message is part of the Face the Facts education initiative, developed by the Health Sponsorship Council and Ministry of Health.
Ben Everist from Capital & Coast DHB says nicotine replacement therapy [patches, gum, or lozenges] can make it much easier to quit smoking.
“Nicotine is one of thousands of chemicals in cigarettes. It’s addictive and causes most of the withdrawal symptoms you feel when you first stop smoking.
“Using nicotine patches, gum and lozenges will help ease you through these withdrawal symptoms. In fact, studies show that using nicotine replacement therapy can double your chances of quitting.”
Ben says that using patches, gum and lozenges have not been shown to cause cancer or heart disease like smoking does, and that these products are much safer than smoking.
Ben says New Zealanders are lucky because we have access to very low cost nicotine patches, gum and lozenges, and they are widely available.
“It costs about $10 for an eight-week supply of patches, gum or lozenges. That’s much cheaper than a two-month supply of cigarettes!
“You can get nicotine replacement therapy by ringing the Quitline on 0800 778 778 or by ordering online at www.quit.org.nz or from GPs, midwives, dentists, optometrists, nurse practitioners, community health workers, Aukati KaiPaipa on 0800 926 257 or Pacific Smoking Cessation on 04 237 8422.”
The DHB will be running two Smokefree stalls the week of the 25- 29 May at Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals and invites anyone who would like information on quitting smoking to attend.