IT’S not often that being a quitter is considered a good thing. However, if it improves your health – as it did for a group of Northside women who successfully completed a quit smoking programme – it becomes a positive.
‘We Can Quit’ is an initiative of the Irish Cancer Society in partnership with the Northside Partnership, Health Promotion and Improvement HSE, Doris Bui and Lloyds Pharmacy, Northside Shopping Centre.
In total, 30 women from the area attended and successfully completed the recent course.
The women began attending the free 12-week programme at the start of February and since then have joined forces on a quitting journey together.
They attended weekly group sessions and one-to-one support meetings as well as receiving 12 weeks of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to the value of
?¬450 free of charge.
The programme was open to female smokers living in the Dublin 17 area and women from the Dublin 5 areas of Bonnybrook, Kilmore and Bunratty who were over the age of 18.
Joanne Vance, senior health promotion officer at the Irish Cancer Society, said they were delighted that so many women attended the programme on the Northside.
“We understand that women have so many challenges and commitments in their lives already and that they can see quitting smoking as an uphill struggle that is difficult to take on,
? said Ms Vance.
“‘We Can Quit’ offers women a friendly and supportive network of like-minded women who know what they are going through,
? she added.
“Together, they can support each other on their quitting journey.
?
Ms Vance said several local women have managed to successfully quit smoking as a result of the initiative.
“I would like to congratulate all of the women who have completed the programme,
? she added.
“It is a fantastic achievement which will have a positive impact on their family’s lives.
?
Marian Vickers, chief executive of the Northside Partnership said they were delighted to be involved in the initiative.
“We know how important access to free nicotine replacement therapy programmes like this are to keep communities healthy,
? she said.
Visit www.cancer.ie/we-can-quit or email Rachel Burke at rburke@irishcancer.ie or call 01-2316669 for more information.