Start 2024 with a resolution for better health during National Non-Smoking Week…

A message from your Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle

This week is National Non-Smoking Week and I remind everyone that it’s never too late to quit smoking. The start of a new year is often a time when people reflect on their lifestyle choices and ways to be healthier. National Non-Smoking Week is a perfect time to consider improving your health by quitting smoking or vaping.

This week has been recognized across Canada for more than 40 years and is observed annually to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use, and to encourage smokers to quit smoking. Tobacco use is known to be the biggest preventable cause of death in Canada, with approximately 16,000 Ontarians dying every year. The burden on Canadian society is also significant resulting in $11 billion in health care or indirect economic costs every year.

E-cigarettes are also concerning for youth and young adults who may be at risk of becoming addicted to nicotine in e-cigarettes; these products often contain added flavours that may be enticing to youth to start using tobacco and vapour products. Current research indicates that 30 per cent of Canadian youth 15 to 19-years old are vaping and almost 48 per cent of young adults 20 to 24 are vaping.

We recognize that quitting smoking or vaping may be a challenge, but small steps are just as important to help you along your quit journey. Try going smoke free for an hour, a day, a week, a month; what’s important is that you try, as every attempt brings you one step closer to quitting for good.

The Health Department offers several resources to help support individuals who want to quit smoking and vaping. Topics covered in these resources include:

• The benefits of quitting.
• How to manage withdrawal symptoms and triggers.
• Making your quit plan.
• Quit smoking medications and community supports.

For more information on quitting smoking and vaping, tobacco and vaping use prevention, and protection from exposure to second-hand smoke and vapour, visit durham.ca/TobaccoAndVaping. We also encourage individuals to talk to their healthcare providers about strategies to help in quitting smoking or vaping.