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Tobacco Issue Still Smoking
Vancouver, BC – May 30, 2007 - Fifty years ago cigarettes were the epitome of cool. By the 1960s evidence was building to the contrary, but it took until the 1980s for smoking to be broadly recognized as bad, says the BC Lung Association, joining others in raising awareness of tobacco’s dangers for World No Tobacco Day 2007, celebrated May 31, 2007
“At the time of the first World No Tobacco Day in 1987, more than one in three Canadians adults smoked. Today that’s down to less than one in five”, said Veda Peters, Tobacco Education Coordinator for the BC Lung Association.
Twenty something years later, anti-smoking action has shifted the perception of ‘smoking’ from cool to cruel. Public opinion has been reversed to such a degree that current advocacy efforts are focusing less on well-established health risks to smokers and more on the rights of non-smokers to a smoke-free environment.
“Clearly there is consensus in 2007 that, just like asbestos, exposure to second-hand smoke is harmful at any level and the public must be protected,” said Peters. “So while many more people today use their car cigarette lighters to charge iPods or mobiles than to light up, the 15 per cent of British Columbians who still smoke are putting the health of non-smoking adults and children at risk,” said Peters.
Second-hand smoke releases thousands of toxic chemicals into the air, over 50 of which are known to cause cancer. These include benzene, formaldehyde, cadmium and lead. Breathing second-hand smoke for even a short time can have immediate adverse effects, causing physical reactions linked to lung disease heart disease, strokes and cancer. In children, second-hand smoke is even more harmful because their lungs are still developing and are more easily damaged.
"Two thirds of the smoke from a cigarette enters the air around the smoker and contains twice as much nicotine and tar as the smoke inhaled by the smoker," warned Peters. "The toxic chemicals in smoke stick around long after the smoker has put out their cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Smoke gets trapped in hair, skin, walls, fabric, carpet, furniture, and toys. You can't get rid of smoke by sitting near a window, turning on a fan or air purifier."
Fortunately, smokers need not go it alone. The BC Lung Association urges those ready to quit to take advantage of tools available, including smoking cessation products designed to reduce nicotine cravings as well as group or individual counseling.
“One of the ways the BC Lung Association helps is through QuitNow, a smoking cessation program offered free of charge to all British Columbians,” said Gary Chapple, Volunteer President of the BC Lung Association.
Funded by the BC Ministry of Health and operated by the BC Lung Association, the QuitNow program employs phone, web-based and personal counseling based on an individual's needs and preferences.
Under the program, British Columbians have access to ‘QuitNow By Phone’ (1.877.455.2233), a clinically proven, cost-free, telephone-based counselling program available 24/7 in over 130 languages. They can also access ‘www.quitnow.ca’, an Internet-based quit smoking service that combines effective methods for quitting smoking with a powerful individualized program that is available anytime and anyplace.
Call the BC Lung Association at 1-800-665-LUNG (5864) or visit www.bc.lung.ca for more info.
Media contacts:
Katrina van Bylandt, Communications Manager, BC Lung Association
T 604.731.5864, C 778.772.4788 or TF 1.800.665.LUNG (5864) or
E vanbylandt@bc.lung.ca
Veda Peters, Tobacco Education Coordinator, BC Lung Association
T 604.731.5864 or TF 1.800.665.LUNG (5864) or E peters@bc.lung.ca