Smoking Cessation Campaign Helps Smokers Quit Smoking and Stay Smoke Free

CORNWALL- In recognition of National Non-Smoking Week 2015, the Government of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) are once again on tour with Break It Off, a joint tobacco cessation awareness and outreach campaign aimed at young Canadians. This tour is part of the Government of Canada’s multi-year $4.8 million investment to help young adults quit smoking and stay smoke-free.

Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, attended the Break It Off truck stop at St. Lawrence College in Cornwall today and spoke with students about their journey to going smoke-free. The multi-year campaign targets young adult smokers aged 20-24, who have a higher rate of smoking than the general population. The Break It Off campaign encourages young adult smokers to “break off” their bad relationship with smoking and stay smoke-free.

The Break It Off Facebook Event Listing on the Healthy Canadians Facebook page offers a one-stop-shop where users can view event listings, post content on smoking cessation and engage with others who are trying to quit. Users can download a mobile app from the campaign website to track and share their progress with quitting smoking through Facebook, including the number of cigarettes “dumped.” The website also allows visitors to connect with others who are trying to quit or who have already quit and access additional support such as counselling.

The prevalence of tobacco use by Canadian youth aged 15 to 17 years is 7 per cent, the lowest rate ever recorded for this age group, according to the 2012 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS). Despite this success, research shows young Canadians are still using flavoured cigars. That is why, during this year’s National Non-Smoking Week, the Government of Canada is renewing its commitment to amend the schedule to the Tobacco Act to further restrict the use of additives, including flavouring additives, that are used to market cigars that appeal to youth. As well, due to the lack of evidence on the benefits or harms of e-cigarettes, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, asked the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health to study the issue and seek the advice of a variety of health stakeholders.

In addition, the renewed Federal Tobacco Control Strategy includes funding to support a limited number of projects to help reduce smoking rates in First Nations and Inuit communities in each region. Currently sixteen proposed projects received from First Nations and Inuit are under review and it is anticipated that implementation of approved projects will begin in early 2015.

For information on events in your area visit the Break It Off website or the Break It Off Facebook Event Listing.

Quick Facts

• The current smoking rate among Canadians (aged 15 years and older) is at an all-time low of 16% versus 20% for young adult smokers aged 20-24.
• Since the inception of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy, Canada has invested more than $650 million to help Canadians quit smoking and to prevent Canadians from starting to smoke.
• Canadians needing support to quit smoking can call a quit coach through the toll-free pan-Canadian quitline at 1-866-366-3667 or visit Healthy Canadians online.

Associated Links

Break It Off
Break It Off – Mobile App
Facebook Break It Off Event Page
Healthy Canadians – Smoking & Tobacco
Healthy Canadians – You Can Quit Smoking
Quit4Life
On the Road to Quitting Guides to Becoming a Non-Smoker