Costa Rica News – Who wouldn’t like to quit smoking? But it’s hard. Now, you can try again with the help of an initiative created by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and the International Telecommunication Union.
Smokers now have access to free text messaging that determines their degree of addiction based on the number of cigarettes smoked daily. The smoker sends a text, indicating by what date he or she wants to quit and they are then sent a series of prompts to quit.
You can start the program by sending the text Quiero dejar to 4321.
Those who use this service will also get messages about how to reduce stress and anxiety. It’s a “customized system that will help the smoker to stop the habit,” explained Anton Zamora, the project director.
There’s also an accountability portion of the program. If one wants to stop receiving messages or gives up trying to quit, he sends “Leave program.” This action is followed up by a call to consult about the reason for leaving the aid system.
In 2011, Costa Rica banned smoking in enclosed places. Still, there are half a million smokers in the country. Zamora explained that the goal is to help people through technology “because almost 100% of adults have a cell phone.”
Instead of having to go outside and make yourself smell like an ashtray you can now stay in the bar and hit on the gorgeous woman or man with white teeth that hates smokers.
