Quit4You to pilot a new lunchtime drop-in clinic in Douglas The Department of Health is to launch a new free lunchtime drop-in clinic to help smokers quit. The new Quit4You Stop Smoking Service clinic will launch in Douglas on Tuesday, 3 January 2012, and will be trialled until the end of March. The clinic will be held every Tuesday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at the Promenade Methodist Church, Loch Promenade. Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “The Quit4You Stop Smoking Service of course helps to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking, but first and foremost it’s about providing smokers who wish to quit with information, support and advice to help them achieve this. Research shows that smokers are four times more likely to quit with this kind of support. Initiatives such as this, where we look to improve health and prevent disease before it occurs, are fully in line with the Department’s health strategy, and I am very supportive of this pilot scheme. I would strongly recommend to anyone thinking about quitting smoking to seek advice through the Quit4You service.” Smoking has a significant detrimental effect on health, increasing the risks of cancer, lung disease and heart disease. It can also impact on general fitness and fertility. Anita Imberger, Tobacco Strategy Coordinator said: “There are already weekly Quit4You drop-in clinics in Ramsey, Peel, Douglas and Port Erin, which are all very popular. The evening clinics cater particularly well for people who work 9am to 5pm, however many people cannot attend evenings or would prefer daytime sessions. January is always our busiest month with lots of people motivated to quit smoking, so we hope this new lunchtime clinic in Douglas will provide another option.” The Quit4You clinics are designed to be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for anyone who is thinking about quitting smoking to drop-in for free practical advice and regular support throughout their quit attempt. The clinics are not run as groups, instead, support comes in the form of informal one-to-one sessions with a Specialist Stop Smoking Advisor. Some people choose to come with a friend, partner or family member who is supporting them to quit, so they are also aware of what might help. To date more than 1,500 people have used the Island’s Quit4You service. There are a number of new types of Nicotine Replacement Therapy available, and if suitable, the team can provide ‘vouchers’ for these, so the person quitting does not have to see their GP to receive a prescription. The voucher works the same as a prescription which can be used at the pharmacy for the small cost of ?3.85 per item. Quit4You can also provide information on other stop smoking medications such as Champix or Zyban, however, these can only be prescribed by a GP. Whether a smoker is ready to stop smoking now, thinking about giving it a go in the future, or supporting someone else who is trying to quit, the clinics are stocked with plenty of leaflets to take away, and the team are there to help smokers to decide the best way forward, and offer tips and advice to get people started. The first session usually takes around 45 minutes, and involves discussing smoking patterns, what may have been tried before, medication options and agreeing a personal quit plan. Any follow-up sessions that the person quitting wants to attend would be around 15 minutes. For more information about the Quit4You Stop Smoking Service, visit www.Quit4You.gov.im, telephone Public Health on 642404 or e-mail tobacco@gov.im. Other Drop-In Clinics around the Island are held weekly (except Bank Holidays) • Douglas: Tuesday 5.30pm – 7.00pm, Promenade Methodist Church, Loch Promenade • Douglas pilot lunchtime service: Tuesday 12.30pm - 1.30pm, Promenade Methodist Church, Loch Promenade • Ramsey: Wednesday 5.30pm - 6.30pm, Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital , Cumberland Road • Peel: Monday 5.00pm – 6.00 pm (except Bank Holidays), Peel Medical Centre, Albany Road • Port Erin: Friday 12.30pm - 1.30pm (except Bank Holidays), Southern Group Practice, Castletown Road Please note all Quit4You Drop-In Clinics will be open the week of 19 December, but closed the week of the 26 December, and will reopen on 3 January 2012. - ENDS -