Staff and Students at Robert Gordon University (RGU) will be given support to quit smoking at a series of advice sessions this semester.
RGU is working in partnership with NHS Grampian Smoking Advice Service that will run weekly smoking cessation sessions and one-to-one meetings for six weeks at the university’s Garthdee campus.
The initiative will run between Wednesday, March 2, and Wednesday, April 6, and aims to help smokers who want to stop.
The sessions have been facilitated by RGU’s ‘Fit for the Future’ initiative which promotes health and wellbeing across the campus community.
Meetings are free and confidential and will offer regular carbon monoxide level tests and vouchers for free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) or other stop smoking medications.
NHS Grampian specialist advisers will be on campus prior to the sessions to provide information for those interested in taking part.
Following this, those wishing to stop smoking will be offered the opportunity to join a smoking cessation group or a drop-in ‘one to one’ meeting on campus
Professor Valerie Maehle, Dean of RGU's Faculty of Health and Social Care, said that by offering professional advice and confidentiality, staff and students wishing to quit smoking will feel more comfortable in asking for help.
She said: “The smoking cessation sessions will be a great contribution to the support and advice that the university’s ‘Fit for the Future’ initiative offers to promote healthy living to the campus community.
“There are many benefits to stopping smoking, including improved health and saving money which would otherwise be spent on cigarettes. This approach to stopping smoking is free, friendly and can significantly boost a person’s chances of quitting for good.
“We feel that it is important that everyone has an equal right to get the support they need and therefore 15 minute, private meetings are also available for those who don’t want to engage in a group or might struggle to fit the scheduled sessions in with their timetables.”
Group sessions will be held in on campus in the Sir Ian Wood Building from midday to 1pm, while the one-to-one drop-in sessions are available from 1-2pm.
Those interested are welcome to visit the NHS Grampian Smoking Advice Service information stalls which will be set up across campus to find out more.
The information stall will be on campus on the following dates:
Feb 23: Aberdeen Business School – in the central atrium area
Feb 25: Faculty of Health & Social Care – Reception area
Feb 26: Central Services Building – entrance area
Feb 29: University Street – near the Student Association offices