Description:
THINKING ABOUT QUITTING SMOKING? QUITTING VAPING ? WE’RE HERE TO HELP!
Regardless of whether you are ready to stop smoking/vaping tomorrow, just thinking about quitting, or just thinking about reducing the amount, our Stop Smoking Clinic offers practical advice and help.
The Family Health Team Nurse Practitioners (NPs) have specialized training to help you.
One-on-one support from the NP is available to help identify triggers, set and plan for a quit date, assists with tips and tricks for beating cravings, learn what to expect when taking nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or smoking cessation medications (champix/varenicline or Zyban/bupropion) and how to properly use them.
FREE NRT is available through registration with the STOP Program, for both smokers and those vaping nicotine. We partner with CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) to make this available to you.
NRT through the STOP program is available in the form of patches, inhalers, gum, and lozenges for up to 26 weeks.
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to improve your life and health. Any attempt to quit smoking will make you stronger. It’s never too late to reap the benefits, some of which happen within the first few days.
- 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
- 2 days after stopping smoking, your senses of smell and taste begin to return.
- 1 year after you stop smoking, your risk of heart disease is cut by one-half.
- Within 3 years after you quit, your risk of heart disease is the same as someone who never smoked.
- Within 10 years after quitting, your risk of lung cancer is cut in half.
Why is Quitting so Tough?
Cigarettes and other forms of tobacco contain an addictive substance called nicotine. Once you’re addicted to nicotine your body gets used to it and it feels normal. When you stop, it doesn’t feel normal and that is when withdrawal symptoms happen.
Ways to Cope
- Drink Water – Water will flush the nicotine out of your system faster and keep your hands and mouth busy.
- Deep breaths – Breath in deeply and hold and then breath out.
- Delay – If you can hold off for a few minutes the craving will often go away.
- Occupy yourself – When you are busy doing something you are less likely to be thinking about smoking.
Helpful Resources:
Prerequisites:
- Physician Referral: No
- Patient of Happy Valley Family Health Team: Yes
- Appointment Required: Yes
Registration:
Most appointments are by phone.
Call the office 519-284-3450 ext 3100, or ask to speak with the Allied Health Receptionist.
After an initial consultation to assess your needs and eligibility, our team’s Nurse Practitioner will meet with you, virtually or by phone to provide treatment counselling which includes: assessment of smoking status, behavioural counselling and the provision of NRT.
