Push for more help to quit smoking in Great Southern

Cancer Council WA is urging Great Southern health and community organisations to join the Make Smoking History program to mark World No Tobacco Day.

The free Make Smoking History program encourages smokers to commit to quitting and helps health and community organisations identify tailored solutions for addressing smoking and integrating them into work they are already doing.

In the Great Southern, 13.2 per cent of the population smoke tobacco, compared with 11.1 per cent of the national population.

Great Southern regional education officer Bruce Beamish said despite the high percentage, there was only one health and community organisation in the region providing smokers with support through the Make Smoking History program.

“There are currently 12 health and community organisations across regional WA that offer support through the Make Smoking History program, but the Great Southern needs more,” he said.

“We know that people accessing health and community services in the regions have considerably higher smoking rates than the general population and face additional barriers which make it harder for them to reduce and quit.

“This is why it is essential people in the Great Southern who are thinking of quitting smoking have ongoing access to personalised, non-judgemental information and support to help them reduce and quit smoking, in an environment they trust. The moment you stop smoking, your body begins to repair itself and the risk of developing smoking-related illnesses begins to decrease.

“We encourage all Great Southern health and community service organisations to contact the Make Smoking History program and commit to making a difference to the lives of their clients today.”