National Non-Smoking Week kicks-off

Sunday marks the start of National Non-Smoking Week – a week focused on helping people quit smoking as well as trying to prevent others from starting.

National Non-Smoking Week has been recognized across Canada since 1977.

The Canadian Cancer Society told CTV News that this week is highlighted each year as a way to raise public awareness.

“It’s an opportunity shortly after January and maybe New Years resolutions to urge everyone who smokes, to quit. It’s been a tremendous success, and it’s contributed to less smoking,” said Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society.

“We still have 3.8 Canadians who smoke and though we’ve made progress, very substantial progress… there’s so much more that remains to be done.”

The Canadian Cancer Society says smoking continues to be the main preventable cause of disease and death in Canada, and roughly 48,000 Canadians die each year because of smoking.

“The smoke from cigarettes is a toxic brew. It contains thousands of chemicals, it contains roughly 70 cancer causing substances. Smoking causes 30 per cent of all cancer deaths in Canada,” said Cunningham.

“It causes heart attacks, strokes, emphysema, diabetes, second hand smoke is harmful – especially to kids.”

Officials with Canadian Cancer Society said they are hoping the government will increase the minimum age to buy cigarettes from 19 to 21.

“The overwhelming majority of smokers begin as underaged teenagers, and that is an important part of preventing youth to ever starting to smoke,” said Cunningham.

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The Canadian Lung Association told CTV News it is never too late to stop smoking and once individuals do stop, it says people can see immediate improvements to their health.

“Quitting is one of the most important things that people can do for their health. The benefits of quitting smoking can be seen as quickly as within 20 minutes of quitting,” said Sarah Butson, public affairs and policy analyst with the Canadian Lung Association.

“Blood pressure drops to normal, we see within several hours that there’s impact on the carbon monoxide levels that are in folks. We can see people’s ability to taste or smell often return within about 48 hours.”

Butson said, quitting smoking is a very hard thing to do, which is why the Canadian Lung Association encourages people to continue trying.

“Try to quit, try to quit again if you slip up. Quitting is hard, but it’s easier with help. The Canadian Lung Association and a number of other like-minded organizations have created a campaign called ‘Smoke Free Curious’ and the purpose of the campaign is to get people curious about thinking about quitting,” said Butson.

“This campaign includes a number of resources, which help increase peoples chances of having a successful quit attempt.”

The National Non-Smoking Week runs from Jan. 15-21.

For more information about health benefits of quiting smoking, visit the Canadian Lung Association’s website.