Ontarians receive free medication to quit smoking

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA PUBLIC HEALTH

**************************** Ontarians to receive free medication to help them quit smoking

Ontarians who want to quit smoking can take advantage of the counselling support and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), provided to them free of charge by the STOP program.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in partnership with the Ministry of Health Promotion is collaborating with Algoma Public Health to roll out the STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) program, an initiative that aims to reduce tobacco smoking in the province by increasing the use of effective smoking cessation medication and other resources.

“Sometimes people are reluctant to quit smoking because of the cost of NRT. With our program we eliminate the barrier to treatment and enable people to begin the quitting process so they may be able to prevent the onset of serious illnesses brought on by smoking,” said Dr. Peter Selby, clinical director of addiction programs, CAMH and principal investigator of the STOP study.

“In addition to eliminating cost, this project will allow us to help people along in the process and monitor which quitting methods are most effective. This way, we will be able to better treat people in the future,” he said.

In addition to providing NRT, STOP will offer educational material to encourage the program participants to make broader changes that can improve their health even more, because often smoking does not occur in isolation, but rather accompanies other risk factors for disease, such as poor nutrition and lack of physical activity.

"Smokers who are ready to quit smoking frequently need support, and we are ensuring that they have access to effective support to help them along the way. That is why the McGuinty government has made unprecedented investments to improve access to smoking cessation resources for Ontarians who are ready to quit," says Minister of Health Promotion Margarett Best.

"There are more choices than ever for smokers who want to quit and we are prepared to help them." said Ann Marie Sutherland, tobacco cessation specialist with Algoma Public Health. "We are happy to be partnering with CAMH and the Ministry of Health Promotion in giving the people of Sault Ste. Marie a chance to quit smoking"

Those interested in participating in the STOP program may do so by attending a STOP workshop, to be held in Sault Ste. Marie on October 27.

To see if you are eligible to participate and to register for the workshop call 705-541-7378.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada’s leading addiction and mental health teaching hospital.

Integrating clinical care, scientific research, education, policy development and health promotion, CAMH transforms the lives of people impacted by mental health and addiction issues.

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