Ministers' Message

National Non-Smoking Week

National Non-Smoking Week, held this year from January 18 to 24, is an excellent opportunity to quit smoking or to encourage someone you love to quit. While the number of people who smoke regularly has declined dramatically, 21 percent of Canadians still smoke. As Minister of Health and Minister of State for Public Health, we encourage all Canadians, smokers and non-smokers, to take action and consider the following facts:

• Smoking remains the number one preventable cause
  of death in Canada.
• Tobacco use will cause more than 47,500 Canadians to die this year.
• At least 1,100 of these people will be non-smokers - friends and family exposed to second-hand smoke.

With such high stakes, it is important for governments, non-governmental organizations and citizens to take action in our communities and bring Canada closer to becoming a smoke-free society. Events such as National Non-Smoking Week can help. For example, many public health centres, health facilities and agencies, community health organizations and municipalities are hosting special activities aimed at highlighting the issue, and informing and supporting Canadians who wish to quit.

You can be part of the solution. Your health and the health of your family depend on it. Visit Health Canada's Web site at www.gosmokefree.ca to find excellent tools to help you and your family quit smoking. In addition, there are trained smoking cessation experts available by calling the toll-free quitline in your province. You can call 1 800 O-Canada for more information on quitlines or to receive a free copy of the On the Road to Quitting booklet.

Together, we can make Canada smoke-free.