World No Tobacco Day will be celebrated at USQ Toowoomba with a free BBQ on Wednesday May 23.
Organised by USQ Student Services and supported by OSHC Worldcare, the BBQ will provide a place for staff and students to discuss the issues around tobacco use and will be able to take away materials to help quit smoking.
USQ has taken a leading stand against smoking and has banned smoking within 10 metres of any building and from Semester 2, 2012 smoking will be banned in the Quad.
Ms Joanne Boyes, a Psychologist from USQ Student Services, said that participating in this initiative is important to promoting a healthy workplace.
‘We just want people to know that there is support for them to give up smoking if they would like it,’ Ms Boyes said.
‘Sometimes people want to make changes but are unsure how to go about it and would like to talk things through with someone.
‘Counsellors at all campuses can assist with that and the GP’s at the Toowoomba USQ Health Service are available to support people further.’
World No Tobacco Day is an initiative of the World Health Organisation and is celebrated around the globe.
The campaign encourages 24 hours of abstinence from smoking, brings awareness to the dangers of tobacco use, and informs people that they have the right to live a healthy life which will protect future generations.
There has been wide spread advertising and government campaigns about the harm smoking can do.
Smoking rates have decreased over the recent past but approximately 20% of the population still smoke, with the 25-29 year old age group having the highest prevalence.
Over 4000 chemicals are inhaled while smoking, accounting for 6 million deaths around the world each year.
Along with providing resources to help people quit smoking, USQ Student Services offer many other services including a free GP service, personal and career counselling, disability support, scholarship, financial and accommodation support as well as assistance with equity issues.
OSHC Worldcare provides Overseas Student Health Cover and offers a convenient way for students to make claims through their representative at Student Services, Toowoomba Campus.
More information can be found at the
Quitnow website or contact
Student Services.
Contact Details:
Sam Tickell,
USQ Media, +61 7 46 31 2559
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