Dear Editor,
With all the present discourse on the implementation of a ban on smoking in public spaces by the minister of health, Dr Fenton Ferguson, RISE Life Management Services has noted that the conversations have not been sensitive to the fact that nicotine does lead to addiction and addiction is a disease.
Certainly the persons addicted to tobacco did not start the habit thinking that they would become slaves to it, and as such the disease component of the addiction must be taken into consideration during the implementation process of the ban.
We want to be clear that RISE Life Management Services does not support smoking in any form as we promote only healthy activities. We are, however, very aware from our 23 years of working in the addiction field, that the majority of smokers will experience great difficulty in their attempt to reduce or eliminate their smoking habit, especially if a strong desire to quit does not exist. We have witnessed many individuals who give up alcohol and even cocaine use, but who have been unable to give up their cigarettes!
We believe that more time should have been given to individuals who smoke to mentally and physically prepare themselves for the cessation of smoking in public.
Given the knowledge that smoking usually leads to addiction and addiction is a disease, the public health approach must employ a measure of sensitivity and support for those desiring to reduce or quit the habit. Persons attempting to quit will experience nicotine withdrawal such as anxiety and irritability.
Professional smoking cessation programmes endeavour to address these issues.
Many individuals will require nicotine replacement therapy along with counselling in order to quit, and therefore should be offered this service. So while we want to protect the rights of the nonsmoker, we must do so in a manner that embraces the rights of the smoker to get help and support in preparation for this new paradigm.
Richard Henry
Addiction Counselling & Support Services
RISE Life Management Services
57 East St Kingston
1888-991-4146, 967-3777-8
www.risejamaica.org
Smoking ban, addiction and sensitivity
-->
With all the present discourse on the implementation of a ban on smoking in public spaces by the minister of health, Dr Fenton Ferguson, RISE Life Management Services has noted that the conversations have not been sensitive to the fact that nicotine does lead to addiction and addiction is a disease.
Certainly the persons addicted to tobacco did not start the habit thinking that they would become slaves to it, and as such the disease component of the addiction must be taken into consideration during the implementation process of the ban.
We want to be clear that RISE Life Management Services does not support smoking in any form as we promote only healthy activities. We are, however, very aware from our 23 years of working in the addiction field, that the majority of smokers will experience great difficulty in their attempt to reduce or eliminate their smoking habit, especially if a strong desire to quit does not exist. We have witnessed many individuals who give up alcohol and even cocaine use, but who have been unable to give up their cigarettes!
We believe that more time should have been given to individuals who smoke to mentally and physically prepare themselves for the cessation of smoking in public.
Given the knowledge that smoking usually leads to addiction and addiction is a disease, the public health approach must employ a measure of sensitivity and support for those desiring to reduce or quit the habit. Persons attempting to quit will experience nicotine withdrawal such as anxiety and irritability.
Professional smoking cessation programmes endeavour to address these issues.
Many individuals will require nicotine replacement therapy along with counselling in order to quit, and therefore should be offered this service. So while we want to protect the rights of the nonsmoker, we must do so in a manner that embraces the rights of the smoker to get help and support in preparation for this new paradigm.
Richard Henry
Addiction Counselling & Support Services
RISE Life Management Services
57 East St Kingston
1888-991-4146, 967-3777-8
www.risejamaica.org
Smoking ban, addiction and sensitivity
-->