January 20 – 26, 2019 is National Non-Smoking Week and Islanders are encouraged to join the Canadian wide movement to quit smoking and celebrate those who have successfully quit.
“I want to encourage all Islanders who smoke to take the first step to become smoke-free,” said Health and Wellness Minister Robert Mitchell. “While quitting smoking may be difficult, you don’t have to do it alone. Services and supports are available to help you quit smoking – and it will make a difference in your health and wellbeing.”
Choosing to live tobacco-free is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of premature death and disease in Canada. In PEI, government provides a combination of counseling and pharmacologic therapies to support Islanders in quitting. Call the Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or visit a Health PEI Addiction Services office in your area for help.
In advance of National Non-Smoking Week, the PEI Tobacco Reduction Alliance (PETRA)began a campaign to educate parents and youth on the risks associated with vaping and e-cigarettes. The campaign includes distributing posters and printed fact sheets to key partners and influencers of youth.
“While all the evidence is not yet in on the long-term effects of vaping, we want to be proactive about the lung health of our youth,” said Julia Hartley of the PEI Lung Association (which is also a member of PETRA).
“Vaping and e-cigarette use among youth and young adults is strongly linked to future cigarette smoking. We don’t want our youth putting their lung health at risk, and we certainly don’t want them becoming at greater risk of smoking tobacco,” Hartley said.
The brain is still developing up to age 25, and studies show that the contents of e-cigarettes can impact brain development and affect a person’s ability to concentrate, learn and make decisions. “Our aim is to better inform parents, educators and professionals, so that they have the tools to start the conversation with youth about the risks of vaping,” added Hartley.
The new vaping resources are available at Vaping and PEI Youth.
PETRA is a network of government and non-government organizations concerned with the health, social and economic consequences of tobacco use. For more information, visit PEI Tobacco Reduction Alliance.
Media Contact
Autumn Tremere
agtremere@gov.pe.ca
902-368-5610
Backgrounder
The Department of Health and Wellness supports tobacco reduction and control efforts through programs and initiatives including:
• QuitCare Smoking Cessation Program offered by Health PEI’s Addictions Services
• Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation, an in-patient smoking cessation program offered at QEH and PCH;
• Quit Smoking Drug Program including nicotine replacement therapies, gum or Zyban;
• Smokers’ Helpline – toll-free and online services (1-877-513-5333);
• Financial support and collaboration with partners of the Prince Edward Island Tobacco Reduction Alliance (PETRA) which offers programs including but limited to:
- Revealing the Truth - a high school curriculum guide for Grade 10 teachers, and
- Supporting Island Students to Quit Smoking – a resource for PEI educators regarding youth cessation.
• Primary care provider support and education;
• Eligible Wellness Grant Program applicants who focus their projects on tobacco reduction; and
• Enhancement and enforcement of the Tobacco Sales and Access Act and Smoke-Free Places Act.