News Release
2003-03
January 22, 2003
For Immediate Release
Minister McLellan announces new cessation campaign to help Canadians quit smoking
OTTAWA - Health Minister Anne McLellan today launched the latest Government
of Canada advertising campaign to encourage Canadians to quit smoking on the occasion of
National Non-Smoking Week. The new advertisements are the first in a series which will
follow two average Canadians, "Bob" and "Martin," over the next two years as they quit
smoking.
"This new and unique campaign is aimed at smokers who already know the dangers of smoking,
and who would like to quit. Our message is that while it may be difficult, it is possible
to quit smoking - and help is available," said Minister McLellan.
"Smokers need to be supported in their attempts to quit. The health of Canadians and our
future generations depends on it. Research shows that as many as one third of all cancer
deaths in Canada last year could have been prevented if people had quit smoking 20 years
ago," added Cheryl Moyer, Director, Cancer Control Programs, Canadian Cancer Society.
Health Minister Anne McLellan also announced the details of $5 million for regional and
local mass media campaigns. These initiatives will support smokers who want to quit smoking
while aiming to reduce Canadians' exposure to second-hand smoke. In addition, Health Canada
will also provide funding over three years to support the development and improvement of
regional telephone cessation quitlines.
"I encourage all Canadians to celebrate National Non-Smoking Week by taking action towards
making Canada a completely smoke-free society. Whether you smoke or not, you can be part
of the solution," concluded Minister McLellan.
This initiative coincides with figures released by Statistics Canada indicating that the
smoking rate in the country continues to decline. These results show that roughly 21% of
Canadians aged 15 and older, smoked on a daily or occasional basis compared to 35% in 1985.
In support of the new campaign, Health Canada has updated the "GoSmokeFree.ca" Web site with a variety of new tools to help Canadians
quit smoking. For example, smokers can sign up with the e-Quit program for a 30-day series
of free e-mail messages to help them through the cessation process. Of 300 "graduates" surveyed
at the end of their program, 74% said they had stopped smoking and felt better about themselves.
The familiar self-help guide "On the Road to Quitting" has been updated and will refer
smokers to appropriate sources of information and help.
"These new initiatives from Health Canada are just an example of the many wonderful resources
and support networks available in communities across the country to help Canadians quit
smoking," said Karen Patzer, Executive Director, Sandy Hill Community Health Centre.
Minister Anne McLellan launched the new campaign and initiatives today at the Sandy Hill
Community Health Centre. The centre is one of many across Canada that offers cessation
programs and assistance to people wishing to stop smoking.
A series of pilot projects to test a new "Smoke-Free Spaces" tool kit for municipalities
will also be available. Developed in cooperation with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities,
the tool kit is designed to help municipalities develop and implement by-laws in support
of smoke-free public spaces.
In April 2001, the Government of Canada launched the largest federal tobacco control strategy
in Canada's history. The Federal Tobacco Control Strategy totals over $500 million over
five years, and includes a combination of tobacco control efforts including a sustained
mass media campaign, as well as protection, prevention, cessation and harm reduction initiatives.
For more information on help for quitting smoking, or on creating smoke-free environments
in their lives, Canadians are invited to contact their family doctor or local health authority.
Or, visit www.gosmokefree.ca or call 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).
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Media Inquiries:
Jirina Vlk
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
(613) 957-1694
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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