Butt Out for National Non-Smoking Week

For immediate release

Monday, January 18, 2016

Kingston— Many Canadians continue to smoke, even though they know the risks. Smokers are encouraged to “butt out” their cigarettes permanently, and many use National Non-Smoking Week (NNSW) as an opportunity to quit.

NNSW kicks off today and will run until January 23, 2016. This occasion has been observed during the third week in January for more than 37 years. With a wide variety of activities and participants across the country, NNSW is one of the most important events in Canada's ongoing public education efforts to control tobacco-use.

The goals of NNSW include:

·       educating about the dangers of smoking,

·       preventing non-smokers from starting to smoke and from becoming addicted to tobacco,

·       helping current smokers to quit,

·       promoting the right of individuals to breathe air which is unpolluted by tobacco smoke,

·       de-normalizing tobacco products and tobacco use, and

·       assisting in the attainment of a smoke-free Canadian society.

"Any attempt to quit is a positive step towards becoming smoke-free for life, so just keep trying to quit" says Nicole Szumlanski, Registered Nurse at KFL&A Public Health.

For help or additional resources:

·       call the Tobacco Information Line at KFL&A Public Health (613-549-1232 ext. 1333) or the Smokers Helpline (1-877-513-5333), or

·       visit http://www.ontario.ca/page/how-quit-smoking.

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