Tobacco Harm Reduction and Cessation
While the number of people who smoke is steadily declining across southern Canada, the NWT has seen no decrease since 1994 and almost twice as many adults in the NWT smoke as do other Canadians. Studies also indicate that most of our youth are addicted to nicotine before they are 18 years. More youth use tobacco in the NWT than anywhere else in Canada.
The Department seeks to discourage tobacco use to ensure that people who do not smoke never start and support Northerners in their efforts to quit. Significant efforts are also being made to protect NWT residents from environmental tobacco smoke (second-hand smoke).
To promote a tobacco-free NWT, the Department supports the following activities:
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a Territorial Strategy for Tobacco Control – Action on Tobacco;
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development of tobacco legislation (see discussion paper, A Territorial Law to Control Tobacco Use – What Do You Think?);
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health education and promotion, such as the BLAST initiative, a student conference geared to grades 7-9;
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cessation supports and programs, such as the Quit and Win Smoking Cessation Contest;
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research and training for NWT health professionals;
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monitoring and enforcement of tobacco sales to minors, in collaboration with Health Canada; and
- funding for community based tobacco reduction through the Health Promotion Strategy Fund.
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Last Updated: November 08, 2006 |
