By Calvin Cordova CEBU CITY—Smokers who wish to stop smoking can seek help from the Tobacco Cessation Clinic of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Center (VSMMC). The clinic will open on May 31, announced Dr. Juanito Zuasola Jr, smoking cessation specialist of VSMMC “The services that the clinic will be rendering are free of charge,” said Dr. Zuasola. The clinic is open every Thursday and Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Since the clinic is still on a test run, Zuasola said they will accept patients on appointment basis only. Zuasola said a patient may undergo medication if necessary, adding that one of the clinic’s core services is intensive counselling. “Our approach is to "dance with the patients". Directing them to do things will never be effective. Don't force yourself into their lives," Zuasola said. Zuasola said that in his years of experience in curing such patients, patience and doing constant follow-ups are important. "I provide them my contact number. They need regular connection as the need arises," he said. Zuasola is hoping the government will allocate funds for the purchase of nicotine pastilles or nicotine patches. A nicotine pastille is used as an substitute oral activity to satisfy the craving for tobacco. The scheduled opening of the clinic came a few days after President Duterte signed an executive order banning smoking in public places nationwide. But Zuasola said the creation of the clinic has nothing to do with the executive order.