Saturday, January 24, 2009

Sask. pharmacists to assist smokers

From the Regina Leader Post:
Saskatchewan pharmacists have made a “PACT” to help smokers kick the habit of tobacco use.

The Partnership to Assist with Cessation of Tobacco (PACT) was launched by the Pharmacists’ Association of Saskatchewan (PAS) in Regina on Thursday. Smokers who are interested in quitting will now have access to free counselling services from 200 Saskatchewan pharmacists trained in the PACT program.

PAS chairman Harold Just said the pharmacists are trained to help people assess their specific needs for beating the addiction.

“Research shows that professional counselling can double or even triple an individual’s chance of success,” said Just. “We believe that store-front counselling in place will help many people be successful in quitting tobacco.”

Janice Burgess, director of professional practice for PAS, was involved in training pharmacists in 19 workshops around the province. She said the first half of the four-hour workshop was a review of tobacco use trends, nicotine and its effect on the body and pharmaceutical therapy to beat the addiction. ...more

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