There’s no better time for residents in South Western Sydney to give up smoking than on World No Tobacco Day – May 31.
After a year like no other, tobacco smokers wanting to improve their health and quit the habit may be facing the added social and economic pressures felt from the Covid-19 pandemic.
South Western Sydney Local Health District health promotion service acting director Karen Wardle says a range of local resources are available to help those who want to quit smoking but are not sure where to start.
“I recommend people talk to their GP or call the NSW Quitline, even if they are not quite ready to quit,’’ Ms Wardle said.
The NSW Quitline is a free confidential telephone service with smoking cessation counsellors in English, Arabic, Chinese and Vietnamese, with Aboriginal quitline advisors also available.
Ms Wardle, pictured below, said smoking prevalence remained high in the community and people needed to continue to support those who wanted to quit for good.
Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Australia.
Smoking leads to diseases including cancer, heart disease and stroke.
Two in three lifetime smokers will die from a disease caused by their smoking.
Ms Wardle said it was never too late for smokers to kick the habit and improve their health.
“Even after years of smoking you can still improve your health within minutes of your last cigarette. The longer a person goes without smoking, the more benefits they reap in the years to come,’’ Ms Wardle said.
The NSW Government will invest $17.3 million on tobacco and e-cigarette control during 2020-21. This includes public awareness and education campaigns, quit smoking support, compliance and enforcement of strong smoke-free and retailing laws, and targeted programs for vulnerable groups with high smoking rates.
For information, tips and tools to support people to quit:
- Ring the NSW Quitline on 13 7848;
- Visit the website www.icanquit.com.au;
- Talk to a healthcare professional such as your GP.
