Quit Smoking

Dear [Reader]

Because your health is all that matters.

As the head of WA’s leading health fund I believe HBF has a responsibility to help West Australians to live healthy lives.

So I am writing to you, and all other HBF members, in support of the latest campaign to help and encourage people to quit smoking.

The rates of smoking have fallen dramatically in recent years but tobacco is still the single largest preventable cause of premature death and disease in Australia. As many West Australians have discovered, quitting is always possible and the benefits are huge.

Did you know that within five days of quitting smoking most nicotine has left your body and that your risk of a heart attack is halved? This is one of the messages from the Australian Government's largest ever National Tobacco Campaign, launched on 30 January 2011. The new campaign carries a simple call to action for all smokers – attempt to quit today.

There are many services available to support quit attempts. For help, people should go to their doctor or pharmacist, call the Quitline on 13 7848 or visit the Quitnow web site at: www.australia.gov.au/quitnow.

If you are one of the majority of Australians who do not smoke I hope you’ll understand why we have decided to send this to all our members. And if you know a smoker, please pass this on - it might just be the message that helps them quit.

Best regards


Rob Bransby
Managing Director
HBF


I don't smoke, btw. I tried it as a teenager, but never caught the bug. I had plenty of other vices, but I am sure glad smoking cigarettes wasn't one of them! Andrew