MQuit stop smoking service expanded to workplaces

PETALING JAYA: The Stop Smoking Service (mQuit) has now expanded its consultancy services to workplaces and companies in a bid to produce a smoking-free community.

Heath Ministry’s director of the Disease Control Division Dr Chong Chee Kheong said it was also aimed at encouraging employers to provide the “stop smoking” facilities for their employees.

”About five million people in the country are smokers with 20,000 of them dying of complications caused by smoking. Through the mQuit, the government is committed in efforts to cultivate a healthy lifestyle.

”Register with the ministry for the mQuit to enable smokers to get the quit smoking service. The service is also provided free of charge at government health clinics and hospitals or (with certain fees) at any private healthcare facilities that offer such service,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after the signing of memorandum of understanding ( MoU) between the Health Ministry and 10 agencies involved in the second phase of mQuit which was witnessed by the ministry’s secretary- general Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min at the Sunway Medical Centre here yesterday.

The mQuit service is a joint effort between the Health Ministry and several local universities, nongovernmental organisations as well as private companies.

Dr Chong said a total of 11,818 smokers in the country had quit smoking through the mQuit service which was introduced last year.

”Smokers will undergo sixmonth counselling sessions conducted by professionals and also be given medicines to help them quit smoking. Their progress will also be monitored for a oneyear period,” he said.

The mQuit service which is also offered at selected pharmacies also provides a Quitline hotline that allows customers (smokers) to get counselling and advice via telephone. — Bernama