National Non-Smoking Week in Canada 2012

My parents both were smokers. All five of us, their children, are not (one of my brothers took up smoking twice and quite both times, cold-turkey). My Auntie (who died of lung cancer) used to smoke quite heavily. And the truth be told, I cannot stand smoke (second-hand smoking does terrible things to my throat and lungs). I have never dated anyone who smokes and when I have, I have pressured them to quit smoking at least during our time together (and brush their teeth like there’s no tomorrow, and have breath mints at the ready!). I am a firm believer of quitting smoking and even have promoted campaigns like Quitters Unite and Quit Now BC. I know that today is the launch of National Non-Smoking Week in Canada 2012, and I wanted to celebrate it and let you know about it.

National Non-Smoking Week (NNSW) has been observed for more than 30 years. It is one of the longest running and most important events in Canada’s ongoing public health education efforts. Established in 1977 by the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control (CCTC), its goals are:

• to educate Canadians about the dangers of smoking;
• to prevent people who do not smoke from beginning to smoke and becoming addicted to tobacco;
  to help people quit smoking;
• to promote the right of individuals to breathe air unpolluted by tobacco smoke;
• to denormalize the tobacco industry, tobacco industry marketing practices, tobacco products, and tobacco use; and
• to assist in the attainment of a smoke-free society in Canada.

The theme for National Non-Smoking Week in Canada 2012 is “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”, which I’m sure relates to how hard it is to quit cold turkey. But trust me, having witnessed my parents (who took up yoga and swimming) and my brother (who just did it for the sake of demonstrating it can be done), quitting smoking can actually be done.

Do you or any of your loved ones smoke? And if so, are you doing anything to quit (or to help your loved ones quit?)