Grey Bruce Public Health is encouraging smokers to drop the habit this week to mark national non-smoking week from Jan. 15 to 21.
According to Statistics Canada, about 16.6 per cent of Grey-Bruce residents aged 12 and up report smoking cigarettes daily, which is above the provincial and national average.
This week, the region's public health organization is sharing information about the benefits of quitting smoking and resources for cessation support.
Dr. Rim Zayed, physician consultant at Grey Bruce Public Health, notes both cigarettes and vaping have serious health risks.
“Commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of premature death and disease in Canada. Almost every organ in the body is impacted by cigarette smoke, which can contribute to chronic diseases from heart and lung diseases to cancers," said Zayed in a news release from Grey Bruce Public Healh. "The health harms of commercial tobacco can also impact non-smokers through second- and third-hand smoke. Vapes and e-cigarettes, meanwhile, generate aerosols that contain potentially toxic substances, which can be harmful to a person’s health.”
Free cessation supports and resources are available through Family Health Teams and Health Centres (for rostered clients) and the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre, as well as online through Stop on the Net and the Ottawa Community Model for Smoking Cessation.
For more information, visit publichealthgreybruce.on.ca or call Grey Bruce Public Health to speak with a member of the Tobacco Team.
