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For Immediate Release
Quitting Smoking is Contagious, Pass It On!
The Lung Association encourages people to tap into their social networks to quit during National Non-Smoking Week (January 17-23, 2010)
January 15 2010 - Want to quit smoking for good? You may be more successful if you enlist a loved one to quit smoking with you.
Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that people are more likely to successfully kick the habit when people in their social network, such as friends, co-workers, siblings, and spouses, do the same.
For example, when a husband or wife quit smoking, their spouses were 67 percent less likely to smoke. People with a friend who quit smoking were 36 percent less likely to smoke themselves. In smaller companies, employees are 34 percent less likely to smoke when a co-worker quits. Those with a brother or sister who quit were 25 percent less likely to smoke.
“This research shows how people influence one another’s smoking behaviour,” says Cameron Bishop of The Canadian Lung Association. “When one person quits smoking, it can have a powerful ripple effect on their friends, family members and co-workers.”
For Gail Francis, of St. John, New Brunswick, the decision to quit smoking with a loved one was pivotal to her success. “Quitting together is very powerful. If it weren’t for my partner Louise, I would have smoked one thousand times. That’s because when you give someone your word, you’d better stick to it,” says Gail, who quit with Louise Steeves on Nov. 11, 2008.
 Gail Francis and Louise Steeves |
"Having Gail quit with me made a huge difference. If I was tempted to smoke, she talked me down and would remind me of how far I have come,” adds Louise, who turned to exercise, instead of cigarettes.
Now 125 pounds lighter and training for her first half-marathon, Louise has noticed a marked improvement in her asthma since she quit. “At my most recent appointment with the asthma clinic, I had the best breathing test results in my life! My asthma is also so much better controlled.”
Christie Kane and Dan Perley of Sooke, British Columbia, made the decision to stop smoking together. Now they want to inspire other members of their community to quit smoking. “If we can quit, anybody can!”
Tania Hubler quit smoking with her sister-in-law Jill Hubler on August 4, 2008. “Quitting smoking was the beginning of a transformation in my life,” says Tania. “In fact, I inspired four other women in my office to quit. One of them told me that I was one of the heaviest smokers she knew. So when she heard that I quit, she decided she would, too.
“When you’re able to show others that quitting is do-able, it definitely helps you, too. Knowing that my quitting has helped inspire others to stop smoking has strengthened my resolve to stay quit. You really don’t want to let the others (who have quit) down.”
Learn more
Read more stories from Canadians who have quit smoking together
Find out where to get help to quit smoking
Send an e-card to encourage your friends to quit or tell friends that you’re quitting yourself.
About The Lung Association
Established in 1900, The Lung Association is one of Canada’s oldest and most respected health charities, and the leading national organization for science-based information, research, education, support programs and advocacy on lung heath issues.
For more information, media representatives may contact:
Cameron Bishop
Director of Government Affairs and Media Relations
The Lung Association
T 613.569.6411, ext 223