McGuinty Government Encourages Ontarians To Butt Out On Weedless Wednesday
Support Available To Help People Quit
TORONTO, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - Weedless Wednesday is an ideal time for smokers to kick the habit, Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson said today.
"The concept behind Weedless Wednesday is that some smokers benefit from taking a one-day-at-a-time approach to quitting," Watson said. "Weedless Wednesday gives smokers a start date and an achievable goal that they can build on to quit permanently."
Weedless Wednesday falls on the Wednesday of National Non-Smoking Week.
Canadians have marked National Non-Smoking Week in the third week of January every year for the past 20 years.
"When people try to quit smoking, they may experience some uncomfortable symptoms as nicotine leaves their body," says Gail Luciano, manager of the Canadian Cancer Society's Smokers' Helpline. "However, by planning ahead, a person can reduce this discomfort and better cope with urges to smoke, which will increase their chance of quitting successfully."
Health care providers such as your doctor, pharmacist and dentist are
good sources of advice and guidance on quitting smoking. You may also contact the following organizations for help:
- Canadian Cancer Society's Smokers' Helpline - Visit
www.cancer.ca/smokershelpline or call 1-877-513-5333.
- Centre for Addition and Mental Health - Visit www.camh.net. In the
GTA, call 416-535-8501, ext. 6128 for an appointment.
- Motherisk - Visit www.motherisk.org or www.pregnets.org, or call
1-877-FAS-INFO (327-4636).
- Local Public Health Unit - To find your local Public Health Unit,
visit www.alphaweb.org/ont_health_units.asp, or check your local
telephone book.
Smoking kills 16,000 people in Ontario each year and costs Ontario's
economy at least $1.7 billion in health care costs. Exposure to second-hand smoke causes about 425 deaths in Ontario each year, not including exposure in the workplace.
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act will prohibit smoking in all enclosed
workplaces and enclosed public places in the province effective May 31, 2006.
The Ministry of Health Promotion was established in June 2005 to improve and deliver programs that contribute to healthy living and wellness in this province. Key priority areas include the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy, healthy eating and physical activity, injury prevention and mental health.
