Support for staff
Quit Smoking Support Options for JCU Staff
- Access online Quit Smoking Resources through the Quit HQ website
- Counselling through JCU Psychology or LifeWorks (JCU's Employee Assistance Program)
- Speak to your GP regarding other options including prescription medication
- Discover additional coping strategies by learning to meditate (Townsville, Cairns - more information to come)
Support from Quitline
The counselling component of this program is provided by Quitline, which is a confidential, free service for people who want to quit smoking. The service will provide you with information, advice and assistance tailored to your particular needs.
Quitline counsellors are available 7am-10pm, 7 days a week. Calls from anywhere in Queensland cost the price of a local call (calling from a mobile costs more). Quitline also has a team of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander counsellors, who students can request during their call.
The Intensive Quit Support Program provides eligible participants with Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
How to register
Sign up to the Intensive Quit Support Program by calling Quitline on 13 QUIT (13 78 48).
Online resources
The Queensland Government provides a variety of support tools and resources, including a smoking cost calculator, information about the health benefits of giving up smoking, smoking myths, and access to support services, including Quitline, QuitCoach and My QuitBuddy App. Visit Quit HQ for further information.
Frequently asked questions
How will I receive my Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products (e.g. patches)?
After you’ve submitted a Program Registration Form (PDF, 924 KB), you’ll receive a call from Quitline within a week. During this call, a Quitline advisor will discuss the NRT products with you and have them sent to your postal address.
When will the Quitline call me?
Quitline will always call you during a time you nominate on your registration form. You will receive four calls over a 12 week period.
To make it easier for Quitline to get a hold of you, please nominate at least two different days you can receive a call.
Please note, Quitline will always call from a BLOCKED number.
What is the cost to participate in the program?
The program is provided free of charge.
Is the program available to partners, spouses or immediate family members of workers who are NOT participating?
No. Due to the popularity of this Smoke-free JCU QUIT Program, we are only able to offer participation to the partner, spouse or immediate family member of a staff member who is a current smoker and registered in the Smoke-free JCU QUIT Program.
Free, confidential quit smoking support is available for anyone by contacting Quitline on 13 QUIT (13 78 48).
What if I’m not ready to quit smoking right now?
The Smoke-free JCU QUIT Program is available anytime you think you would like to give quitting a try. If you’re not ready, but would like some information or have questions, Quitline (13 78 48) is available 7 days a week to provide assistance.
When you are ready for a quit attempt, you can join the program by submitting the Program Registration Form (PDF, 924 KB) and returning it to Quitline by email to 13Quit@health.qld.gov.au.
What if I start smoking again?
If you get into difficulty with your quit attempt while participating in the Smoke-free JCU QUIT Program, you can discuss this openly with your Quitline counsellor.
Quitting can be hard, so if you do lapse don’t let this lead you back to smoking regularly. Quitline counsellors are trained to help you at any stage of quitting, including if you lapse to smoking. If you are not successful on the Smoke-free JCU QUIT Program the first time, you can register twice in a 12 month period.
Is participation in the program confidential?
Yes, Quitline counsellors maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
Your personal details will not be disclosed to any party. Any reporting about the Smoke-free JCU QUIT Program only uses numbers and de-identified data. JCU also has a responsibility to maintain your privacy in the workplace.
How can Quitline help me?
Once you have registered, a Quitline counsellor will call you at your nominated time to discuss your smoking and help you to develop a quit plan.
Counsellors can help with setting a quit date, determining habits and routines around smoking, providing tips for managing cravings and advise on products to help with quitting. They will send you Quit resources, answer any questions you have, and support you through your quit attempt at regular intervals.
What is Quitline?
The Quitline service is a state-wide confidential telephone service dedicated to helping people who want to quit smoking. The service has been helping smokers for many years. Quitline counsellors focus on the reasons why people smoke, not why they shouldn't, so you won’t be given a 'health lecture'.
What support is available to me if I don’t want to join the program?
Free, confidential quit smoking support is available for anyone from Quitline by phoning 13 QUIT (13 78 48).
Counsellors can discuss quit options and help each individual to develop a plan that suits them. They can also send helpful information to read.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), like patches, gum and lozenges, are readily available over the counter at pharmacies and a range of other retail outlets, such as supermarkets. NRT patches and other non-NRT medications listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme can also be accessed at a subsidised rate by obtaining a prescription from your GP. It may be helpful to talk with a pharmacist or your GP about the most suitable method(s) for you.
For further information visit the Quit HQ website.