Tobacco is the biggest preventable cause of death in Canada
13,000 Ontarians die every year from tobacco use.
"Smoking" means smoking (inhaling and exhaling) or holding lighted tobacco or cannabis (medical or recreational).
Smoking harms almost every organ in the body and causes negative health effects, including:
- Many types of cancer (including lung and oral cancers)
- Heart disease
- Stroke and circulatory problems
- Chronic lung diseases, such as:
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Emphysema
- Tooth loss and gum disease
Vaping
"Vaping" means inhaling or exhaling vapour from an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or holding an activated e-cigarette, whether or not the vapour contains nicotine.
Vaping doesn’t require burning like cigarette smoking. The device heats a liquid into a vapour, which then turns into aerosol. This vapour is often flavoured and can contain nicotine. E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes. Most have a battery, a heating element and a place to hold a liquid. Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens and other everyday items. Larger devices such as tank systems, or “mods”, do not look like other tobacco products.
Vaping devices |
There are two kinds of vaping devices:
Open vaping devices are used to vape everything from e-juices to cannabis. E-juices can contain nicotine with different levels of nicotine strength in addition it also contains a number of chemicals with known toxicity (e.g. formaldehyde and acrolein). |
Health effects |
Although the health effects of e-cigarettes are uncertain, long term exposure to e-cigarette vapour may be harmful to health.
In some cases, vaping liquid containers have enough nicotine to be poisonous and toxic. |
Quit smoking
Quitting smoking has many benefits. It lowers your risk for diseases caused by smoking. We have information and resources to help you, or someone you know, to quit smoking. It takes practice. Don't give up if you are not successful the first time.
What is the single best thing you can do to quit smoking
Benefits of quitting smoking |
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Quitting smoking has short- and long-term benefits to your health:
In addition to your health, there are even more benefits to you when you quit smoking.
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Making a quit plan |
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Making a quit smoking plan helps you increase your chances of staying quit. You can plan ahead to deal with cravings and avoid trigger situations. |
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Managing cravings |
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When cravings happen remember the four D's:
You may have a stronger addiction to nicotine if you "need" a cigarette within the first 30 minutes of waking up, and if it is very hard to go more than an hour without a cigarette. Vaping products and e-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a less harmful way than smoking and may reduce health risks for people who are unwilling or unable to:
Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges or an inhaler. |
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Plan for triggers |
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Some common danger zones to plan for:Alcohol
Other smokers
Environment
Weight gain
Stress and copingSmoking does not reduce stress as many people think. It actually increases your stress response. It increases your pulse and blood pressure. When quitting it is important to reduce stress and choose healthy coping to help you quit:
Positive thinking and celebrating
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Community supports and resources |
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Resources and services available in the community to help you successfully quit smokingIndividual counsellingA trained therapist provides individual counselling. They often work in one or more face-to-face sessions to help smokers quit. Contact your health care provider or pharmacist and make an appointment to discuss your options. Telephone counsellingCounselling is provided by telephone to help people stop smoking. Multiple sessions have been found to be most effective. Smokers' Helpline is a free, confidential counselling service offering support and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use. It is available seven days a week by phone and online. Kids Help Phone is free, anonymous and confidential counselling services for youth aged 20 and under. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone and online. Call 1-800-668-6868. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)NRT helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. NRT is available as a patch, gum, inhaler, lozenges and spray, which are available over-the-counter. Speak to your pharmacist or health care provider for more information. Medications for quitting smokingMedications such as bupropion and varenicline can increase your chances of quitting. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if these options are right for you. Quit smoking group programGroup programs help people in their attempt to stop smoking and increase chances of quitting by double. More information and services
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Second-hand smoke
Second-hand smoke is the smoke that is blown into the air, and the smoke that enters the air from the burning end of cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and hand-rolled cigarettes.
The dangers of second-hand smoke |
Second-hand smoke is dangerous. Each year in Canada 300 non-smokers will die from lung cancer because of second-hand smoke. There is no safe level of exposure:
Exposure to second-hand smoke can cause heart disease and lung cancer in adults. It has also been linked to:
In children, exposure to second-hand smoke can cause:
It has also been linked to childhood cancer (leukemias, lymphomas, brain tumours), onset of asthma, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). |
Third-hand smoke |
Third-hand smoke contains all the chemicals of second-hand smoke and it also clings to all surfaces like:
Third-hand smoke builds up on these surfaces over time and puts children, infants and pets at a greater risk for exposure than adults. |
Make your home or car smoke-free
Making your home or car smoke-free protects you and your family from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
Making your home smoke-free |
When you make your home smoke-free, you protect those who live with you. You also help yourself to quit smoking by reducing the triggers around you. Opening a window or going into another room does not protect your family from second-hand smoke. Use these tips to make your home smoke-free:
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Smoke-free apartments, condos and townhomes |
If you live in an apartment, condo or townhome, you may have second-hand smoke coming into your home from your neighbour's unit. The Smoke-Free Ontario act protects people from second-hand smoke in public places such as common areas (hallways, stairwells, laundry rooms) in apartments and condominiums. However, second-hand smoke can travel through:
An Ontario survey (2010) found that:
This is a problem for many people especially those with asthma, allergies, lung disease, heart disease or diabetes. For children, this also increases the risk of many health problems. Private units in apartments, condos or townhomes can be made smoke-free. Landlords have the legal right to designate their building as smoke-free housing and a right to protect their property. Learn more about making your apartment, condominium or townhome smoke-free: |
Making your car smoke-free |
When you smoke in the car, everybody in the car smokes. Opening a window does not reduce the effects of second-hand smoke. Use these tips to make your car smoke-free:
If you're alone in the car with young children you can turn off the car, step outside and stand where you can see the children to take your smoke break. Never leave the car running with children inside. |
Tobacco-free living
The majority of people who use tobacco wish they never started and would like to quit.
Youth |
A majority of smokers begin smoking and vaping in their teen years. Youth are targeted by the media through movies and new products and packaging. The tobacco and vaping industry uses creative marketing strategies like adding flavours and introducing new products. These may appeal to youth and attract them to start using tobacco and vapour products. This is so they can continue to make money. Youth opportunitiesWe are looking for youth who are interested in getting involved in tobacco prevention initiatives and/or advocating for tobacco control policies in Durham Region. We work with community youth agencies and youth volunteers (ages 13 to 24 and connected to a participating community youth agency) to engage youth in decreasing tobacco use in the community. This programming is currently being funded by the Smoke-Free Ontario's Youth Engagement Strategy. Many smokers start in their teen years. Efforts to denormalize tobacco use and decrease negative role modelling are important to protect youth and young adults from future smoking and addiction. Learn more about the campaigns you can help work on:Smoke-free movies is the Ontario Coalition for Smoke-Free Movies who aim to get tobacco out of youth-rated movies in Ontario to protect children. They want to protect youth from exposure to on-screen tobacco. Smoking in movies gives youth the message that smoking is a normal and desirable activity. Know what's in your mouth is a campaign designed by youth for youth to raise awareness about the dangers of chewing tobacco. Many young people have the misconception that smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff) is less harmful compared to cigarettes or not harmful at all. If you are interested in getting involved with these initiatives contact the Durham Health Connection Line. |
Young adults |
Young adulthood can be a stressful time which can increase your chances of starting to smoke or increase the amount you smoke. Getting support early on can help prevent or reduce the harmful effects of smoking on your body. We have information to help you quit smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke. More information and support is available through: |
Pregnant women |
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. Smoking and second-hand smoke are harmful to you and your baby because when a women smokes or breathes in second-hand smoke, the baby does also. This causes negative health effects on the baby and increased risks such as:
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Breastfeeding and smoking |
The breast milk of smoking mothers and non-smoking mothers who are exposed to second-hand smoke has been found to have nicotine and other dangerous chemicals in cigarette smoke. If you continue to smoke, you should not smoke around your baby or have a cigarette before breastfeeding your baby. Breastfeeding is still best for your baby even if you continue to smoke. For more information: |
Parents |
Children and teens are influenced by their parents, peers and what they see in movies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the more youth see onscreen smoking, the more likely they are to start. In Ontario the Film Review Board determines ratings on films (i.e. general admission, parental guidance, 18 Adult, etc.). In order to determine ratings the Ontario Film Review Board (OFRB) considers language, nudity, violence, sexual activity, horror and psychological impact. The OFRB does not consider smoking when assigning ratings to movies. Most movies with smoking are rated for kids and teens in Ontario. As a parent you can:
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Schools |
Smoking and vaping is not allowed on public areas within 20 metres from the perimeter of the grounds of elementary and secondary schools. Teachers have one of the most influential roles in a student's life and are able to support students in quitting smoking. |
Workplaces |
Tobacco-free workplaces save lives and money. In Durham Region 16 per cent of adults continue to smoke daily at work. Eight per cent of adult non-smokers report being exposed to second-hand smoke at their workplace. Bystanders can also be exposed to vapour that is exhaled by users. The health effects to non-users from exposure to second-hand vapour are still unknown. Vaping products should be used with caution around non-users and youth. (Health Canada). Your workplace can:
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Smoking, vaping and the law
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) bans smoking and vaping in all enclosed workplaces, enclosed public spaces and other designated places. This is to protect workers and the public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and vapour. The Smoke-Free Ontario (SFO) strategy uses programs, policies, laws and public education to:
- Help smokers quit.
- Protect people from exposure to second-hand smoke from tobacco, vapour products and cannabis.
- Encourage young people to never start smoking.
Durham Region's Smoke-Free By-Law
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act affects many retailers and public spaces
Retailers of tobacco and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) |
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Flavoured tobacco products |
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The SFOA includes rules and restrictions on the sale, use and display of flavoured tobacco products. A flavoured tobacco product refers to one or more ingredients in a tobacco product that gives an aroma or flavour other than tobacco before or during use of the product. |
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Hospitals and hospital properties |
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Smoking and vaping is not allowed on the outdoor grounds of a hospital and the area within a nine metre radius surrounding any entrance or exit. |
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Workplaces |
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Government buildings |
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Smoking and vaping is not allowed on the outdoor grounds of an office building that is owned by the Province. |
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Restaurant and bar patios |
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It is illegal to smoke and vape on all restaurants and bar patios including nine metres from the edge of the patio. Restaurant and bar owners or employees are required to understand and comply with these smoking laws. |
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Sporting areas and community recreational facilities |
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Smoking and vaping is not allowed at publicly-owned sporting or spectator areas and public areas within 20 metres of the edge of the sporting or spectator areas next to a sporting area. Smoking and vaping is not allowed on the outdoor grounds of a community recreational facility and public areas within 20 metres of any point on the edge of the grounds. |
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Children's playgrounds |
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Smoking and vaping is not allowed on children's playgrounds or in public spaces within 20 metres of the edge of a children’s playground. |
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