Help available in Athlone to stop smoking

Rafe Bradbury Hughes

A series of free, informative supports will be available in Athlone during National No Smoking Day on Wednesday, February 22, to help people finally quit smoking.

Taking place in the Primary Care Centre in Athlone, Sláintecare Healthy Communities will host a stand where qualified one-to-one 'stop smoking' advisors and 'we can quit' community facilitator will provide information from 10pm to 4am on February 22.

Being provided are the group support programme 'we can quit' and free HSE-approved stop smoking medication. The 'we can quit' free programme is an evidence-based, peer-led cessation programme supervised by fully-qualified HSE stop smoking advisors over seven weekly 90 minute sessions.

Over the course of the group work, participants will have their carbon monoxide levels measured each week to show the steady improvement of their physical health.

Free group discussions on Nicotine Replacement Therapy using patches and gum, on how to devise a quit smoking plan and advice on dietary issues will all form part of the programme.

Techniques for dealing with the withdrawals will be discussed so people can go on quitting without giving in.

The event is being organised by Sláintecare Healthy Communities, which is a new cross-government initiative to improve health and well-being.