InfoPEIHOME / HEALTH / PHYSICAL HEALTH / Smoking Cessation Where can I find help with quitting smoking?Tobacco use is the most important cause of preventable illness, disability and premature death in Canada. The number of deaths caused by smoking is greater than the deaths due to suicide, AIDS, vehicle collisions, and murder combined. An estimated 21% of all deaths are caused by tobacco use. The health risks for smokers and non-smokers are well established. Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, stroke and diseases of the blood vessels, and is responsible for many cancers including those of the lung, mouth, bladder and cervix. The Department of Health and Social Services is a partner in the PEI Tobacco Reduction Alliance (PETRA), a partnership of organizations committed to the reduction of tobacco use, particularly among youth. The partners represent a broad range of organizations from government and the community. PETRA released a comprehensive tobacco reduction plan in 1999 with three main goals including 1) Prevention: helping non-smokers stay smoke-free; 2) Cessation: encouraging and helping Islanders who want to quit and 3) Protection and Promotion: promoting healthy environments by eliminating exposure to second-hand smoke. PETRA are working towards these goals through public education, community action, cessation and support, comprehensive school health, promoting healthy policy, and research. Youth are a primary focus as the vast majority of people who smoke (85%) begin before the age of 16. School-based initiatives to prevent young people from starting to smoke and helping those who want to quit are a priority. For example, school clubs to encourage student-led tobacco reduction activities have been developed, and assistance is available to help students quit smoking. Other initiatives of PETRA include the promotion of healthy environments including smoke-free homes and workplaces, reducing youth access to tobacco products, and providing and promoting a variety of smoking cessation programs to the general population, including pre-natal. Pre-natal quit smoking programs, and programs to help women quit smoking are available through Public Health Nursing Offices across the Island. Alliance partners include:
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