National Non Smoking Week

National Non-Smoking Week is January 18-24, 2015

Since 1977, communities across Saskatchewan have chosen the third week of January to:

• raise awareness about how tobacco smoke affects lives;
• educate young people on how to make healthy choices around tobacco;
• prevent tobacco dependency;
• help people quit smoking;
• promote smoke-free spaces; and
• de-normalize tobacco products and commercial tobacco-use.

The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute offers information on the effects of exposure to tobacco smoke for unborn babies, infants, children, and women. Preventing exposure to tobacco smoke promotes and supports lifelong health.

Infants and children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of exposure to tobacco smoke because they are still maturing physically and mentally. Children absorb more smoke because they breathe faster than adults, inhale more air relative to their body weight, and have a higher metabolism than adults. The harmful products of tobacco smoke can also be passed to the infant through breast milk.

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Third-hand smoke is the toxic chemicals in smoke that stay in the environment even after the person has put out a burning tobacco product. These chemicals get trapped in clothes, carpets, fabric, furniture, hair, skin, and toys and can build up over time. Third-hand smoke exposure increases occurrences of ear infections, asthma, and chronic coughing. Young children are exposed to third-hand smoke because they often put objects in their mouths and crawl on the floor.

Being exposed to second-hand smoke or using tobacco during pregnancy is linked to pregnancy complications. Health care providers, friends, and family can support pregnant women by talking about how to make homes and vehicles smoke-free and supporting pregnant women who smoke in making a plan to quit. For specific support on tobacco and pregnancy, visit www.pregnets.org.

Communities across Saskatchewan are creating environments where it is easier to make healthy choices around tobacco. Some examples are:

• celebrating smoke-free outdoor spaces bylaws;
• participating in workshops around supporting people to quit smoking; and
• providing information on maternal, child, and youth health issues related to tobacco.

Health care providers and pharmacists can assist those wishing to reduce or quit smoking. The Smokers’ HelpLine is available online at www.smokershelpline.ca or by calling 1-877-513-5333.

For more information, please contact 306-651-4300.