World No Tobacco Day

Albertans butting out for good with support from AHS Smokers Helpline

Before you even call, Donna Reid believes you can quit.

In fact, the tobacco reduction counsellor with Alberta Health Services Smokers Helpline talks to people every day who have overcome their addiction.

“We hear the word ‘can’t’ a lot,” she says. “But they can and they do. I believe in them.”

Reid puts her positive thinking to work each day while supporting Albertans with their smoking cessation efforts.

That support is available whether:

• You’re ready to quit
• You’re thinking about quitting
• You’re looking for information
• You’ve quit and need support
• You’ve quit for a while but are smoking again
• You know you should quit but you’re not ready
• You want to help someone else quit

“Everyone smokes for different reasons,” says Reid. “We’re not here to judge at all. Our role is to provide information, motivate and make suggestions to help them decide what will work best.”

Understanding no two people are alike and the same plan doesn’t work for everyone, counsellors can tailor a smoking cessation program to each individual’s needs.

The first call takes the longest, says Reid, because counsellors find out how serious the caller is about quitting, how much he/she smokes and possible barriers to quitting.

From that point, counsellors can send out a “quit kit” filled with reading material about becoming tobacco free.

“We can also arrange to call back to check their progress, put them in touch with people in their community who can support them in their quit efforts, or just provide that one-on-one counselling they may need,” says Reid.

In addition to helping smokers become smoke-free, the Helpline counsellors can help those who are struggling with other tobacco products including chewing tobacco, cigarellos, cigar and pipe smoking.

The Smokers Helpline was implemented in 2002 in response to the Alberta Tobacco Reduction Strategy, a 10-year plan to increase the wellness of Albertans and decrease health-care costs related to tobacco use.

According to 2008 statistics, 29 per cent of adults between the age of 20-25 smoked; 16 per cent of 15-19 year olds also used tobacco.

From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, Reid and fellow counsellors answer the phones. Outside of those hours, Helpline staff answers the line and arrange for a counsellor to call back at another time.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards quitting, call the Smokers Helpline at 1-866-332-2322. Calls are free from anywhere in Alberta.

You can also log onto http://www.albertaquits.ca/ for further support and information.

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day.