Smoke Cessation

Take Action is Heart Niagara's comprehensive smoke cessation and health promotion program for workplaces. The project is designed to assist employees and their families to achieve improved health outcomes with support from the workplace. Take Action utilizes evidence based tobacco control and health promotion strategies to successfully reduce tobacco use and increase healthier smoke free lifestyles. Employer involvement will assist Take Action to support employees in their quit attempts as well as realize a decrease in smoking in the workplace, increase productivity, reduce employer costs and improve employee job satisfaction. Although smoking rates have declined over the past generation, the reality is that 20.8% of Niagara Region residents continue to smoke. Includes:

Workplace marketing campaigns (social media, print, e-mail)
Counselling services provided by a nurse practitioner
Up to five weeks of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
30 minute lunch and learn workshops focused on illness prevention and health improvement strategies
Workplace activity challenges

Investment: $426 per person for a minimum of 8 participants over 5 weeks To book this program, call 905-358-5552 or email Heart Niagara. A decrease in smoking in the workplace can:

Increase productivity
Reduce employer costs
Improve employee job satisfaction

Heart Niagara also provides quit smoking assistance. If you are looking for more information about smoke cessation, please contact 905-358-5552 ext 111 for further information.

After the assessment, Heart Niagara offers clients a 4 week supported risk reduction services. Risk is reviewed at the end of the program. Cost: $125.00

MYTH	FACT
Nicotine is the harmful substance in cigarettes.	It is not nicotine, but the thousands of other chemicals in cigarette smoke that are responsible for most tobacco-caused diseases.
Addiction to nicotine is the same if it comes from nicotine gum, the patch, or cigarettes.	Cigarettes are far more addictive than nicotine gum or the patch because nicotine reaches the brain much faster through inhaling it.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is dangerous for smokers.	NRT is safe for smokers.
Smoking while on the patch increases the risk of a heart attack.	Having a cigarette while using the patch does not increase the smoker’s risk for a heart attack, however, it is not advisable to smoke while on the patch.
Patients with heart disease should not use the nicotine patch or gum.	It is far more dangerous for patients with heart disease to continue to smoke than to use NRT
The nicotine patch, gum, or inhaler should not be used at the same time as smoking medication.	The nicotine patch, gum or inhaler may be used at the same time as smoking medication. In fact, some studies show improved effectiveness when used in combination.
The nicotine patch, gum or inhaler should only be taken in recommended doses.	Smokers should be in control of how they use the nicotine patch or gum and should vary the dose according to their own needs. Like smoking, it takes time to learn how best to use the nicotine patch or gum to benefit from it.