Quitting
Smokers’ Help On-Line Website
The first of its kind in Canada, Smokers’ Help On-Line (www.smokershelp.net), was created to offer support to people interested in quitting smoking.
The Smokers' Helpline Website has the potential to not only reach a diverse client group (youth and adult), but it also meets the needs of the general community. Both smokers and non-smokers can gain access to self-help materials and resources, information and support about alternatives to smoking, personal cessation counselling, peer support; as well the necessary community referrals and support to achieve prevention, protection, education, and cessation.
The website goals are:
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To provide cessation support outside of regular business hours of the Smokers’ Helpline.
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To encourage youth and young adults to utilize the Internet as a means to gain support and quit smoking early in life.
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To provide a forum for individuals to receive peer and counselor support via chat rooms and private E-Counseling sessions.
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To provide a forum for health care providers and tobacco control advocates to communicate, share best practices and partner for increased public health.
Special Features Include:
Chat Forum - One of the most exciting features of this website is the availability of separate chat forums for youth and adults to talk to their peers about quitting smoking. Other chat forums are available based on the stages of the quitting process. Additionally, a general room entitled ‘Ask a SHL Counsellors’ is available to the general public where the trained SHL counselors will respond to any questions or comments posted. Counsellors can answer questions within other rooms, but are only required to answer those posted in the ‘Ask a SHL Counsellor’ room. If you would prefer to chat privately to a SHL Counsellor then sign up for the E-Counselling through the chat rooms or contact us page of this website.
Events Calendar – Another unique feature of this website is the events calendar which advertises the many tobacco control community programs and events that occur province-wide. The events calendar is helpful to both smokers and non-smokers. Anyone who has a related event or program they would like to post can do so by either calling the Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-363-5864 or submitting it electronically within the events calendar tab.
Regional Services Map– For the benefit of both smokers and tobacco control partners, a provincial map of Newfoundland & Labrador has been posted and equipped with the various regional programs, services, and contacts for cessation. The website user will be able click on a region of the province and then review a listing of cessation supports and services. Smokers will gain access to services within their own communities. Partners will be able to identify other key partners, share resources and work more comprehensively and collaboratively.
Websites have been an incredible tool for education worldwide. The Smokers' Helpline believes our website will not only share information, but will also provide online support and counseling to the entire community. Our hope is that this comprehensive website will serve as a support to, and unify, all tobacco control efforts for Newfoundland & Labrador. It is our hope that by becoming more organized in our efforts, we can fight the leading cause of preventable death in our province.
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