ACT Division of General Practice (ACTDGP) says tomorrow’s World No Tobacco Day (31 May 2011) is an excellent opportunity for Canberrans who struggle to kick the habit to talk to their family doctor about local quit smoking services.
ACTDGP President Dr Rashmi Sharma said World No Tobacco Day is about urging Governments to take a strong stand against the tobacco industry to both reduce the rate of smoking and young people taking up the habit in the first place.
“Today also serves as an opportunity for Canberrans who want to quit to start investing in the future of their health. Even if you’ve tried to quit before, it’s never too late to stop smoking and see the health benefits of quitting.
“Your family doctor can provide advice on the best ways to kick smoking and put you in touch with local services,” said Dr Sharma.
Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease, killing 15,000 Australians and costing the economy $31.5 billion each year.
As highlighted in the Federal Government’s National Tobacco Campaign in Australia, smoking causes 84 percent of new lung cancers in men and 77 percent in women.
While smoking is a personal choice, the health and social impacts of this habit go beyond the individual.
“Prevention is a fundamental part of the Federal Government’s primary health care reforms and programs that aim to reduce the rate of smoking or to help people quit in turn help to reduce the burden of disease and the health costs associated with smoking,” said Dr Sharma.
For more information please phone Roz Lemon on 0417 179 314 or email
media@actdgp.asn.au.