“How to Quit Smoking” modules for health workers counselling smokers are being developed through the collaboration between the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP), the premiere authority for pulmonary medicine in the country., and global healthcare company Johnson & Johnson Philippines (J&J).
The partnership between the two organizations is founded on the joint-goal of addressing the challenge to change the way Filipino smokers receive support, as they work towards quitting the habit for good.
Alongside existing efforts, J&J and the PCCP will be developing a new smoking cessation module that will be used for training healthcare practitioners (HCPs) in giving counsel and recommending treatment to dissonant smokers.
The module will kick off with Lung Center of the Philippines as its first hospital partner.
According to a 2019 study on smoking incidence that conducted surveys among 1,500 Filipino regular smokers, 98% of Filipino smokers have the intention of quitting. However, it was found in the 2015 Global Audit Tobacco Survey of the World Health Organization, only 4% are able to do so successfully.
Senior brand manager for Nicorette in the Philippines Jason Khu shared, “In our research, we found that a common challenge quitters have is the lack of proper support– be it from their family and peers, or them not being equipped with the right tools.”
He added, ”Through this partnership with the PCCP, we are hoping to help them address that challenge with a more holistic approach, and equip them with everything that they need to make their quitting journey a success.”
Currently, available resources for Filipino quitters include:
- the DOH QuitLine 1558, a toll-free hotline service where smokers can seek professional consult,
- free educational materials on proper smoking cessation such as quit guides, nicotine dependence tests, and budget calculators,
- live discussions with HCPs, and
- nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products.
Dr. Glynna Ong-Cabrera of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians emphasized, “One thing we need to understand about smoking cessation is that when a smoker commits to quitting, the effects of changing that lifestyle goes beyond than just the physical. It will affect one’s mental health and overall well-being, which is why it is so important that we provide quitters the support that they need in the ways that would be most helpful for them.”
She also shared her optimism in the collaboration, as it opens the doors for more opportunities in helping Filipinos live a longer, happier, and healthier life.
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