Kicking the nicotine butt

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According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco is responsible for the death of more than five million people annually and this could rise to more than 8 million by 2030. Most of those addicted to tobacco reside in low and middle income countries.

CANSA CEO Sue Janse van Rensburg said over 44 000 South Africans died from tobacco-related illnesses annually while many others became ill from using tobacco products and exposure to second hand smoke.

“Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer – which has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers. The good news is that most of these deaths are preventable by giving up smoking in time – even better, don’t start at all,” she said.

Those enrolled in the CANSA e-kick Butt programme would receive weekly e-mails from the ‘no-nonsense Sergeant Kick Butt’ to encourage and help them through the weeks ahead. The e-mails will be sent for three months. Included will be a 12 chapter e-guide with practical tips on to help them quit. Participating in the programme will automatically qualify them for a CANSA membership that will give them extra benefits.

As part of the programme participants will become members of a private Facebook group where they will share their experiences and struggles with others taking part in the programme as well as access to a clinical psychologist.

Profits from the programme will go towards CANSA’s prevention and anti-tobacco campaigns in schools.

For more information on the programme please call CANSA toll-free 800 22 66 22 or kickbutt@cansa.org.za.

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Health-e News

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