Sunday, January 19th marks the start of National Non-Smoking Week, a time to focus on the benefits of living smoke-free and to offer support to those who want to quit smoking.
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of illness and early death in Canada, with around 46,000 deaths each year linked to tobacco use.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. The positive effects can start as quickly as 20 minutes after your last cigarette, and the benefits continue to grow over time.
While quitting can be challenging, having the right tools and support can make a big difference.
Since 2018, Canada has been investing $66 million annually through its Tobacco Strategy to help reduce smoking rates and protect people from the harms of tobacco and nicotine addiction. The goal is to reduce tobacco use to less than 5% by 2035.
If you are thinking about quitting smoking, there are many resources available to help you succeed.
For more information and support, click here.
For mental health or substance use support, talk to your doctor or reach out to friends and family. You can also find immediate, free, and confidential help at Canada.ca/mental-health.
Written by: K. Milhomens
