Support for Those Wishing to Quit Smoking

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR 2011

More Support For Those Wishing To Quit Smoking In New Year

The government today announced additional assistance to help people make good on their goal to quit smoking. Effective January 1, two smoking cessation prescription drugs will be covered under the provincial drug plan.

Champix (varenicline) and Zyban (bupropion) are products that can be prescribed by a physician to assist people in quitting smoking. People who smoke are encouraged to use these products in conjunction with additional smoking cessation counselling and supports available through a variety of sources in Saskatchewan.

“The Lung Association of Saskatchewan applauds this measure,” Lung Association of Saskatchewan Vice-President of Health Education Jennifer Miller said. “Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in Canada and kills 720 people annually in Saskatchewan from lung diseases alone. Smoking is an addiction and the Lung Association is pleased that the government is assisting people to overcome their addiction to nicotine by making these products more accessible.”

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Earlier this year the government amended The Tobacco Control Act, 2010 to create several new provisions which have been introduced in stages. On August 15 the provision to prohibit tobacco use on school grounds was proclaimed. October 1 brought forth changes that made it illegal to smoke in vehicles when children under the age of 16 are present, within three metres of doors, windows and air intakes of public buildings and in the enclosed common areas of multi-unit dwellings.

The final stage will occur on April 1, 2011 and will include the provision that prohibits the sale of tobacco in pharmacies.

For more information on tobacco reduction in Saskatchewan, and supports and programs to help people quit smoking visit the Ministry of Health website at www.health.gov.sk.ca.

NEW FEDERAL PACKAGE WARNINGS WILL PROCEED!!

On December 30th, Health Canada announced it will launch updated and larger (75%, from the current 50%) health warning messages & a toll-free quitline on cigarette and little cigar packages.   Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq unveiled four of the designs including one of former model Barb Tarbox who died of lung cancer at the age of 42.  Tarbox became famous for her crusade to persuade young people not to smoke.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/tobac-tabac/fact-fait/fs-if/stronger-bonifiees-eng.php

Initially, the government was expected to announce new package warnings early in 2010.  When it delayed, it was accused of caving in to the tobacco industry which had argued the government’s efforts would be better spent on fighting contraband.   Dr. Robert Strang, chief public health officer for Nova Scotia, told the health committee in December that the tobacco industry’s tactics are “delay, distract and distort”.

National health groups and provincial tobacco reduction coalitions, including the Saskatchewan Coalition for Tobacco Reduction, advocated for updated warnings to proceed without delay. 

Non-Smokers’ Rights Association

·         “Tobacco warnings deserve to be hard-hitting given that tobacco products kill one out of two of their long term users.”.

·         “The Minister has committed the government to precisely the warning reforms that solid research shows will be effective,” said Geoffrey Fong, Professor at the University of Waterloo and at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. Fong is an expert who has completed research on tobacco warnings in 20 countries.  “Larger, more graphic, more emotive warnings work.  And if these messages are strengthened by moving testimonials and support for smokers via a toll-free telephone smoking cessation service, they will have a very substantial positive health impact.”

Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada

·         “Each of these six areas of labeling reform will help smokers,” explained Dr. Kapur.  “Increasing the size of the warnings to 75% of the front and the back of the package will help smokers by expanding health information and reducing promotional tobacco branding,” he said.  “In addition, smokers will receive information in more interesting, persuasive and memorable ways.  The use of colourful and encouraging messages inside the package is a third improvement to tobacco labeling that will increase smokers’ confidence in their ability to quit and their knowledge of how to do so successfully.” 

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

·         “With warning labels, size matters,” says Irfhan Rawji, chair of the board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.  “Giving Canadians the straight-up goods on the dangers of tobacco industry products in a more prominent and visible way is a significant step in the ongoing battle to reduce tobacco consumption.”  

·         “Research indicates that larger and more visible warnings are more likely to effectively support efforts against smoking,” says Rawji.

·         Seventeen per cent of Canadians 15 years and older smoke.  To continue reducing this rate, the next critical step will be for Canada to adopt plain and standardized tobacco packaging.

Canadian Cancer Society

·         “The effectiveness of health warnings increases with size – the larger the warnings, the greater the impact,” says Rob Cunningham, Senior Policy Analyst, Canadian Cancer Society.  “Implementation of the new, larger package warnings will be an important achievement, and will reduce cancer and other tobacco-related diseases in Canada.”

The Tobacco Free Saskatchewan Network is a network of health workers, citizens and others.

The Network is sponsored by the Advocacy Committee, Saskatchewan Coalition for Tobacco Reduction.  It is available for anyone to use who has information on tobacco reduction activities.