Published May 30 2017
Merri Health has set up a Stop Smoking clinic in an effort to support people to quit smoking.
The sessions are run at two of our centres based in Brunswick and Coburg and provide one-on-one sessions with the person’s unique needs in mind.
“Our approach is a little different – we know how hard it is to stop smoking and try to make it as easy as possible for the person. It doesn’t matter if we’ve seen you for the first time or the eighth time, every single time we see you, you move one step closer to quitting once and for all,” said Christine Buckley, smoking cessation facilitator at Merri Health.
Local Indigenous man Garry Charles knows first-hand the benefits of community support, as he self-referred to service earlier this year.
“I want all my Aboriginal brothers and sisters who smoke to know that there is help and it works. Some of my cousins who have respiratory problems already know about it and are looking to get help. Talking to someone has been the best way to help me stop smoking,” Garry said.
Garry is now cigarette-free and has successfully stopped smoking!
According to the Cancel Council, smoking just 10 per cigarettes per day doubles your risk of dying, with current smokers estimated to die an average of 10 years earlier than non-smokers.
If you've been thinking about quitting or cutting back, call us to talk about options. Call 03 9388 9933 or email service.access@merrihealth.org.au