To the editor,
Jan. 17 is Weedless Wednesday, the highlight of National Non-Smoking Week. The Canadian Cancer Society encourages those who smoke or vape to abstain from smoking for 24 hours. It could end up being the start of something wonderful.
Since helping people quit smoking is a great interest of mine, I would also encourage those who smoke to try and become a non-smoker for the day. Try a day, what do you have to lose? You have everything to gain. Your body, your wallet, your family and friends, even your planet will thank you with amazing results.
Since 1999, more than one million Canadians have quit smoking. Quitting smoking is not easy. Many patients I have helped in the community smoking cessation clinic have told me that quitting smoking was like giving up their ‘best friend.’ This is merely the illusion of tobacco addiction distorting reality because what ‘best friend’ would take your hard-earned money and shorten your life (on average a smoker lives 10 years less than a non-smoker). This ‘best friend’ turns out to be your worst enemy.
There are many ways to quit smoking. Just remember that there is the free 24-hour smokers’ helpline called Quit Now at 1-877-455-2233, or visit www.quitnow.ca. There is a new mini website featuring information and resources on vaping featuring a journal guide, coping skills workbook and money savings tracker.
The Talk Tobacco program offers culturally appropriate by telephone, text message and live chat support for quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use to Indigenous People in B.C.
May everyone have a healthy and safe 2024.
Dr. Derek Poteryko, medical director of community health, Island Health
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