Are You Thinking About Quitting Smoking?
YOU CAN DO IT! Here is some help.
Quitting smoking is the single most important step that you can
take to enhance the length and quality of your life. You will be
more successful if you get help from doctors or other health care
professionals or take part in a quit smoking program.
Call the Saskatchewan Smokers Helpline toll free at 1-877-513-5333.
How To Quit Programs
All of the programs listed below are suitable for smokeless tobacco
users. There is a cost to programs marked with an asterisk (*).
Group Programs
Join a group of other people to learn strategies for staying off
tobacco. Each group is unique, but all provide information, education
and support to quit tobacco.
- Breathe-Free Plan to Stop Smoking*
Breathe-Free for Women*
Saskatoon Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Call (306) 653-0661 (Saskatoon)
- Smoke-Free Canada Clinics*
Conducted by a registered psychologist
Call 1-866-556-3255 (toll free)
- Nicotine Anonymous
Call (306) 655-4123
Self-Help Programs
The self-help programs listed below allow you to work through a
quit program on your own. Information and interactive tools are
available via the internet. Self-help products such as booklets,
pamphlets, video/audio tapes, and manuals/ journals, are also widely
available.
- One Step at a Time
Canadian Cancer Society
Call 1-888-939-3333
www.cancer.ca
- Do You Want to Quit Smoking*
Freedom from Smoking*
Freedom from Smoking for You and Your Baby*
Saskatchewan Lung Association
Call (306) 343-9511
- Catching Our Breath*
Journal for Women - Women’s Health Clinic
Call (204) 947-1517
One-to-one Counselling Programs
Receive counselling and support by telephone or in person. Participate
in developing your own quit plan.
- Saskatchewan Smokers’ Help Line
Call 1-877-513-5333
- Brunskill Pharmacy*
Call (306) 653-2922 (Saskatoon)
Inpatient Programs Outside Saskatoon
These programs offer a combination of education, self-help strategies,
individual counselling, and group therapy in a residential setting.
The cost includes meals, accommodations and materials.
- Freedom from Nicotine Program* (6 day program)
Walter A. “Slim” Thorpe Recovery Centre, Lloydminster,
AB/SK
Call (780) 875-8890
- Tobacco Addiction and Recovery* (5 day training workshop for
professionals) A Spiritual Journey
NECHI Institute, St. Albert, AB
This is a specialty training workshop offered periodically through
the year. Contact Linda or Georgina at 1-800-459-8894
www.nechi.com
Medications
- Nicotine Replacement Products
Nicotine chewing gum and the nicotine patch are available without
a prescription. These products provide nicotine to your body. This
helps ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings while adjusting to quitting.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Nicotine gum is not
appropriate for smokeless tobacco users due to the mouth sores.
- Zyban®: Smoking Cessation Pill
Zyban® is a nicotine-free pill. It helps to ease withdrawal
symptoms. Is an antidepressant and is available by prescription
only. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Alternative Therapies
Choose alternative therapies with care. Not all have been well
studied and they can be expensive. Some people have found them to
be helpful in quitting. For more information, consult the Yellow
Pages of your telephone book.
- Acupuncture and Laser Therapy
Acupuncture is based on the Chinese science of energy pathways
in the body. Needles or staple-like attachments are placed in the
skin at certain points. The idea is that this will reduce or take
away cravings to smoke or chew tobacco. Laser therapy works on the
same principle, but uses lasers rather than needles.
Hypnosis is a focused state of attention when individuals are more
open to suggestion. It attempts to motivate you to change your attitude
toward tobacco. Hypnosis is offered in private clinics with a referral
from a family physician.
Clove and herbal cigarettes are sometimes used as a substitute
for regular cigarettes. These products often contain more tar, nicotine,
and carbon monoxide than regular cigarettes. They are not effective
in helping you to quit smoking. Herbal snuff does not contain nicotine.
It has been effective to assist smokeless tobacco users to reduce
their withdrawal symptoms.
Resources
- Canadian Cancer Society
Call 1-888-939-3333
Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan
Call 1-888-473-4636 for printed information
- Habitrol Support Line
Call 1-888-227-5777
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. EST
- Nicoderm “Call it Quits” Line
Call 1-866-311-5659, 24 hrs
- Saskatoon Health Region Public Health Services Resource Centre
Call (306) 655-4600 for printed information
- Zyban Users Cessation Support Line
Call 1-800-489-8424, 24 hrs
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