The purpose of this themed week is to educate the public on the dangers of smoking, prevent those who do not smoke from starting, encourage and support those who do smoke to quit, educate the public on the dangers of secondhand smoke and to denormalize the tobacco industry, their marketing practices, tobacco products and usage.
January 21st is Weedless Wednesday!
The purpose of this day is to encourage those who smoke to abstain for just one day. The goal is that by not smoking for one day, it will kickstart the quitting process.
If you smoke and would like to quit, our PCN can help with education and one on one support. Please contact our office at 780-986-6624 for more information or visit our website at:
http://www.lbdpcn.com/Services/Pages/SmokingCessation.aspx
Quick Facts:
- Tobacco use is one of the leading risk factors for chronic disease and is responsible for more than 37,000 premature deaths in Canada each year.
- 3,400 Albertans die each year as a result of tobacco-related diseases.
- Smoking is still responsible for more deaths each year than drug and alcohol abuse, car crashes, AIDS, murder and suicide combined. According to the World Health Organization, every eight seconds someone dies from a tobacco-related illness. It's clear that nictine has a firm grip on those who consume it.
- Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness, disability and death in Alberta and Canada.
- Half of all regular smokers will eventually die from their habit. Most of these deaths are premature.
- Researchers estimate that, on average, smokers lose about 15 years of their lives.
- On average, people who quit smoking before they turn 50 cut their risk of death in half.
- Between 1997 and 2001, there were 40 deaths in Alberta from fires caused by smokers.
- In 2001, 87% of substance-related deaths in Alberta were related to tobacco use.
For more information, please visit the Canadian Cancer Society website and Alberta Health Services website.
