CQU students and staff members are being encouraged to send an e-card to a friend or family member in conjunction with World No Tobacco Day on May 31.

World No Tobacco Day is an annual worldwide event to promote awareness about the health effects of smoking and to encourage smokers to make a plan to quit.

Students and staff are encouraged to visit the ‘Feeling Good’ website at: http://www.feelinggood.com.au/static/ and send an e-card to those smokers who are contemplating giving up, or those individuals who are in the process of giving up. There are 3 cards to choose from, all featuring positive, motivational messages.

The Feeling Good campaign aims to support young women to discover life without smoking. A core component of the campaign is the e-card and a range of 7 anodised aluminium dogtags, designed to give as a gift of belief, or a symbol to be worn as solidarity, with the key message being freedom from smoking.

CQU Student Counsellor and Healthy Universities Program Coordinator, Shuron Billman, said there is support available for people who want advice about quitting.

"The Quitline 131 848 is a free confidential telephone-based service that operates 7 days a week. A call-back service of up to 6 calls is available to help people stick to their quitting plan”.

“I hope people use World No Tobacco Day to think about quitting, or at the very least reduce their number of cigarettes per day. You never know, by World No Tobacco Day 2007 you might be smoke free and on your way to a healthier life,” she said.

Photo: CQU Student Services staff member and Golden Key President, Constance May-Moore, visits the feeling good website.