If it’s free, would you try it?
Your feedback has told us that it is important to try and help you quit smoking, not to only enforce the non-smoking while ensuring our site is smoke free policy at VGH sites.
To try and help, the smoking cessation group at VGH is trialing the offer of nicotine gum to staff, along with a pamphlet that details how the gum can help reduce cravings and the need to go for a cigarette.
How does the gum help?
Nicotine gum helps reduce smoking cravings meaning you won’t need to go outside to smoke.
Edward Park, manager of client relations and risk management, has recently quit smoking and attributes this largely to being offered nicotine gum and the SMOKING CESSATION group.
“It was really handy to help me quit and helped with the cravings.” said Edward. “And the gum is expensive, so getting it for free really helped.”
How do I use the gum?
There are three steps to using the gum:
- Chew gum until the taste becomes strong.
- When the taste is strong rest the gum between your cheek and gums.
- As soon as the taste fades, chew the gum again. Repeat.
The gum can be used to help quit smoking gradually or right away.
“We also want to thank the staff who are smoking on sidewalks,” said Goldie Luong, director of special projects. “They are following the policy and we greatly appreciate that.”
Where can I get the gum?
If you are interested in trying the nicotine gum please contact Goldie Luong at goldie.luong@vch.ca or 604-875-4111 x55741. This trial will end by March 31, 2014, please call before then.
You can also call 811 for a free 3-month supply, which is available to you once a year.