This is National Non-smoking Week and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has some tips and strategies to help people quit.
“A lot of people understand that smoking is harmful, it’s not good for your health and they do want to quit,” says Stephanie Lachapelle, Community Health Promoter. “Nicotine is an extremely addictive substance but there are other things involved. It’s a huge part of people’s lives. It’s woven into their routines, their relationships and their activities every day so that’s something we need to keep in mind. Everybody’s quit journey is quite different.”
Local quit supports include free nicotine replacement therapy, apps and chat support, a smoker’s helpline, and more.
“Medication can certainly help you in quitting smoking and increase your chance of being successful,” says Lachapelle.
Other tips and strategies include distracting yourself, finding activities or hobbies to do, drinking a lot of water, getting support from friends and family, and more.
Lachapelle says quitting is good for your health.
“Even within 20 minutes after quitting your blood pressure improves and your pulse rate returns to normal,” she says. “After 72 hours breathing gets easier and cravings start to lessen. Within a few weeks, your energy levels increase, and circulation begins to improve.”
Lachapelle adds that after a year of non-smoking the risk of heart attack drops by 50% and after five years the risk of stroke is cut in half.
(With files from Kathy Jennings)
(NON-SMOKING WEEK) 01-24-24 RC v1
The Health Unit has some tips for those looking to quit smoking. This is national non-smoking week and Community Health Promoter Stephanie Lachapelle says a lot of people understand that smoking is not good for their health — and they want to quit.
(stephanie lachapelle clip1) “…is quite different.” :16 sec
Lachapelle says medication and nicotine replacement therapy can help increase the chances of being successful with quitting. Other tips and strategies include finding activities or hobbies to do, drinking a lot of water, getting support from friends and family, and more.
(NON-SMOKING WEEK) 01-24-24 RC v2
This is national non-smoking week and the Health Unit has some tips and strategies to help people quit. Community Health Promoter Stephanie Lachapelle says quitting is good for your health.
(stephanie lachapelle clip2) “…circulation beings to improve.” :15 sec
Lachapelle says after a year of non-smoking the risk of heart attack drops by 50% and after five years the risk of stroke is cut in half. Tips and strategies to help quit smoking include nicotine replacement therapy, finding activities and hobbies to do, drinking a lot of water and more.