Smokers who want to butt out of their habit are being offered an opportunity to significantly improve their chances to do so.
A free, seven-week Alberta Health Services workshop is to be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays from Sept. 10 to Oct. 22 at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre at 5228 50 Avenue in the auditorium.
Working in partnership with the Wolf Creek Primary Care Network, the QuitCore program teaches tobacco users strategies to deal with the effects of quitting smoking.
Stress management tips and guidelines are offered and information is provided to help participants deal with diet and weight concerns and the importance of exercise. Help is also provided to help participants set goals and move ahead with a life away from smoking.
“Quitting is never going to be easy,” said Rimbey pharmacist Patrick Rurka, who will facilitate the program. “but it (the program) helps people realize they are not in there alone.”
Rurka notes that smokers who take the cold turkey approach to quitting have a one in 20 per cent chance of success.
The odds of quitting go up substantially when people trying to quit use either prescription medications or nicotine replacement therapy. The numbers increase again when this method is combined with individual or group counseling.”
“Statistics show that it takes the average person six or seven tries to successfully quit smoking,” said Rurka.
Rurka encourages smokers to give the program a try.
“Lots of information is provided and you always leave with a smile on your face,” he said.
To register call 1-866-710-QUIT (7848).
QuitCore will help
• Most smokers would like to quit smoking but need support to do this.
• Alberta Health Services (AHS) is committed to helping Albertans live a healthy lifestyle.
• AHS offers various programs and services to help Albertans quit smoking including telephone and online support services, group cessation programs and one-on-one counselling.
• QuitCore is a free group support program that provides individuals with the tools, strategies and skills they need to quit smoking, while connecting them with others who are also trying to quit.
• QuitCore continues this winter in our community.
• QuitCore consists of six in-depth sessions over a period of up to nine weeks.
• To register for the program, call 1-866-710-QUIT (7848).
• Group cessation programs are one of the most effective means of increasing your chances of successfully quitting.
• Join pharmacist Patrick Rurka and others Sept. 10, to learn how you can quit smoking.