OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Next week is National Non-Smoking Week (NNSW), from Sunday January 21 to Saturday January 27. NNSW has been marked annually in Canada every January since 1977. The week's objectives are to educate people in Canada about the health effects of smoking and to support people in quitting.
- There are still 3.8 million people in Canada who smoke, representing a current smoking prevalence of 12% (Canadian Community Health Survey, 2022, age 12+). In 1965, 50% of Canadians smoked, including 61% of men.
- Tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Canada, killing 46,000 Canadians die each year, including about 30% of all cancer deaths.
- Direct health care costs from tobacco have been estimated at $5.4 billion per year.
- High rates of youth vaping are of tremendous concern. In the 2021-22 school year, 24% of high school students in Canada in grades 10-12 were vaping, up from 9% seven years earlier in the 2014-15 school year.
- An enormous amount of work needs to be done to achieve the objective of under 5% tobacco use by 2035.
Spokespeople from the Canadian Cancer Society are available to discuss tobacco control issues generally including needed policy measures, as well as tips to support quitting.
The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We fund the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. As the voice for people who care about cancer, we work with governments to shape a healthier society. No other organization does all that we do to make lives better today and transform the future of cancer forever.
Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.
SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (National Office)
Michelle Bilton, Canadian Cancer Society, Communications Coordinator, (437) 266-2493 Ext. 23128
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