A new program to help smokers quit is being offered by the health unit that serves Northumberland County.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is urging area residents to sign up for the STOP on the Net program if they need help to quit smoking.
By visiting the STOP on the Net website, eligible smokers can get eight weeks of free nicotine patches and gum/lozenges (while supplies last) mailed directly to their home.
Public health nurse Karen Taylor outlines the program.
“It’s a good way to try to quit smoking If you have not tried before. It might be a good idea to let a doctor or your heath care provider know what you’re doing so they can check your progress and assist you as well.”
Taylor adds, “Smoking is very addictive and hard to quit at the best of times and with the stress from the past two years of the pandemic it has made going smoke-free even more challenging,”
“It has to be tobacco smoke so unfortunately people who use electronic cigarettes or vaping products, this does not apply to them.”
“Nicotine patches and gum/lozenges can greatly improve the chances of quitting smoking, but some people may not be able to afford them. With STOP on the Net, these supplies are provided free-of-charge, and this has helped many, many people successfully quit their tobacco addiction.”
