On Weedless Wednesday British Columbians and Yukoners are invited to "break up" with tobacco for National Non-Smoking Week

VANCOUVER, Jan. 18, 2012 /CNW/ - National Non-Smoking Week - January 15-21, 2012 - which has been hosted by the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control for more than three decades, announced that its theme for 2012 is Breaking up is hard to do. The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, is promoting National Non-Smoking Week by encouraging British Columbians and Yukoners to "kiss tobacco goodbye." Like any relationship, breaking up with cigarettes can be hard to do, both physically and psychologically, but there is support if you need it. The Canadian Cancer Society wants to help smokers end their dependent relationship with tobacco.

In Canada, it's estimated that smoking is responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths and is related to more than 85% of lung cancer cases. Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in BC, but it's also one of the most difficult addictions to break.

Ready to "break up" with tobacco - but don't know how or where to start?

Last September, the BC government made nicotine replacement therapies available at no cost to British Columbians trying to quit smoking. The move addressed one of the difficulties facing those wanting to quit. Since the launch of the program, more than 63,000 British Columbians have registered for free nicotine replacement therapy. The Canadian Cancer Society thanks the BC government for taking steps to improve the health of British Columbians, as well as the health of their families.

The Canadian Cancer Society also offers support to smokers who wish to "break up" with tobacco through its One Step at a Time quit smoking guide.  If you are in the Yukon and thinking about quitting, call 1 877 513-5333 to reach the Smokers' Helpline - a free, confidential service that provides personalized support, advice and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use. In BC, personalized support about quitting smoking and tobacco use is available for smokers at quitnow.ca. Further information and resources are available at cancergameplan.ca. The Canadian Cancer Society encourages all smokers to make today the day you kiss tobacco goodbye.

Established in 1938, the Canadian Cancer Society is a national charity that fights cancer by doing everything we can to prevent cancer, fund research and support people living with cancer. Join the fight! Visit our website at cancer.ca  or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

Gina Ungaro, Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon
[email protected]
604 675-7335 (office)
604 313-8097 (mobile)