11,000 smokers will get free supply of patch

More help is on the way for local residents who want support to quit smoking with the announcement that the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is making nicotine replacement therapy available by phone to 11,000 Ontario residents.

"The demand is definitely there," said Jen Tonn, a public health nurse with the tobacco program at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. "Our Health Connection phone line was ringing non-stop over the past few weeks screening people for the 10 STOP Smoking and free NRT Workshops held locally this week.

"Many smokers looking for support to quit were disappointed the workshops filled up so fast. This is a second opportunity to get free NRT in the form of the patch for a six-week period."

But Tonn cautions that people should move fast before this study fills up as well. Daily smokers ready to quit can call the STOP Study at 1-800-350-5305. The call centre will be open 24 hours a day until 11,000 people are registered.

All callers will be screened for eligibility and once registered will receive a six-week supply of the patch, delivered by mail. They can then get further support by calling Smokers' Helpline, the telephone counseling service offered by the Canadian Cancer Society.

In a similar mass distribution study in 2006, CAMH provided NRT to more than 13,000Ontario residents to support them to quit smoking.

"It's no secret most people who smoke would like to quit," said Tonn. "If you are truly ready to give it a try call the STOP Study and get involved. NRT has been shown to double the chances of success among smokers who feel they can't quit cold turkey and need support to succeed."