Hamilton Academy of Medicine launches campaign to increase awareness about smoking cessation

Jan 18 2011

In honour of National Non-Smoking Week, The Hamilton Academy of Medicine is proud to introduce, It's Hamilton's Time to Quit, a campaign designed to increase awareness about local quitting resources and tools to help the community understand the support that is available, and encourage people to seek the assistance they need to stop smoking. 

A Community in Need

Hamilton is a community requiring a specific approach to smoking cessation.  Why?   Hamilton does not fit the mold - the population is diverse, and represents significant extremes in terms of health:

• A 21 year difference in life expectancy separates some of our neighbourhoods.
• Hamilton's overall rate of low birth weight babies is more than 30 per cent higher than the Canadian Average.
• Between neighbourhoods, there is as much as 22 years between the average age of a person suffering a cardiovascular emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke.
• In Hamilton, the smoking population is approximately 21 per cent - higher than the Ontario average of 19 per cent. 

"Hamilton is unique, and requires a unique approach to improving health, including quitting smoking," explained Dr. Richard Tytus, Family Physician and Past-President, The Hamilton Academy of Medicine.   "The Hamilton Academy of Medicine is leading the charge for It's Hamilton's Time to Quit - a program that represents an unprecedented collaborative effort of leading community organizations from healthcare and services, to police, pharmacy, and more.*"

The medical community considers smoking to be an addiction and a chronic disease with a pediatric onset.  It is not a lifestyle choice or habit.   It is this fact that has inspired the community to rally to support It's Hamilton's Time to Quit and raise awareness of the resources available to support quitters.

"In my practice, I see patients who struggle with tobacco addiction every day, and have witnessed the often overwhelming challenges faced by people who are trying to quit smoking," continued Dr. Tytus.  "As a community, we must be united in our efforts to support these people in their need and desire to quit.  It is inspirational to see so many organizations and individuals unified in this cause."

*The following organizations are working in collaboration to support It's Hamilton's Time to Quit: The Hamilton Academy of Medicine, Smoker's Helpline, Emergency Medical Services, Hamilton Police Service, Hamilton and District Pharmacists Association, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN, Ontario Lung Association, Hamilton Family Health Team, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton Public Health Services, Dell Pharmacy and St. Joseph Hospital.

The Majority of People who Smoke Want to Quit

It's Hamilton's Time to Quit encourages dialogue between health care providers and their patients - both are encouraged to initiate and engage in the discussion to ensure support and resources are in place to aid successful quitting.

To help gather the community, It's Hamilton's Time to Quit is hosting an education and support meeting to provide information to smokers... and their family and friends who will support them in their quit journey. 

Two forums will take place in February to provide vital information about smoking addiction and the quitting process, and point all quitters and their support system to the available resources in Hamilton.  For date and location details about the forums, visit www.hamiltondoctors.ca in the coming weeks. 

Everyone attending the forums will have the opportunity to sign up on site for the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, Driven to Quit Challenge.  With hundreds of thousands currently trying to break free from their tobacco addiction in Ontario, the Driven to Quit Challenge encourages tobacco users to make a quit attempt for the month of March for their chance to win exciting prizes.  Those who stay smoke-free for the month of March are entered to win their choice of a new Honda hybrid, one of two $5,000 CAA vacation getaways and one of seven $2,000 MasterCard gift cards. Each entrant registers with a support buddy, who can qualify to win a buddy prize of a $200 MasterCard gift card.

It's Hamilton's Time to Quit!

It's Hamilton's Time to Quit is the third initiative in the It's Hamilton's Time to Get Healthy campaign.  The first two initiatives, launched in 2010, included Halt the Salt and It's Time to Get Moving.

The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the resources that are available in our community, and, ultimately, encourage people to seek the assistance they need to stop smoking.

"The goal is that all health professionals in the city of Hamilton are able to provide effective treatments for all patients who are addicted to tobacco," explained Dr. Tytus.  "Immediately, we aim to motivate and support discussion between health professionals and their patients in our community.  In the future, it is The Hamilton Academy of Medicine's hope that the government will soon join the effort by covering smoking cessation medications under provincial drug plans."

 Source: THE HAMILTON ACADEMY OF MEDICINE