Leave the Pack Behind (UTSC Health & Wellness Centre x WTC)

On January 9, 2018, in collaboration with Leave the Pack Behind and the Health and Wellness Centre, the Smoking Cessation: Discussion, Strategies and Intervention workshop was held!

This workshop focused on smoking intervention strategies across campus in order to raise awareness of services offered by Leave the Pack Behind and the Health and Wellness Centre (counselling support, nicotine replacement therapy such as nicotine patches and gum – offers a low dose of nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, smokers apps, etc.), to start a conversation regarding the use of tobacco and tobacco alternatives and to improve access to resources and information that may be less accessible to groups on campus.

Students suggested the need for a platform for students to discuss their struggles anonymously, implementation of a support group to start a buddy system, a way to see all the support systems available to students, individualized programming to meet people where they are at, meditation groups, and one day, like the de-stressor week about smoking, among many others! It was voiced that people may see their smoking as being not a problem and that it may begin socially and that is still an issue on campus. Look out for future workshops to focus on raising awareness of supports and continuing the discussion around smoking!

Thank you to all who came out to the workshop!

Further Resources:

LGBTQIA2S Drop-In Group – Thursdays 5-6pm, starts beginning of January

Relaxation and Meditation Group — Wednesdays 3-4pm - SL-279

Health and Wellness Centre (SL-270) for one-on-one counselling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

www.leavethepackbehind.org to order 8 weeks free NRT (patches, gum), delivered to your door!

www.wouldurather.ca to enter for a chance to win up to $10,000 in cash prizes for quitting, reducing smoking, or staying smoke-free

Writer: Rachel Wagner

Editor: Shagun Kanwar (BOD 2017-2018)