What have you got to lose?

Story submitted by Margarett Best, Ontario Minister of Health Promotion

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As of January 21, 2009, it is illegal to smoke in motor vehicles where passengers under 16 years old are present. The medical science is clear - second-hand smoke is dangerous to our children. For many smokers this is another good reason to quit.

The new law is part of the Ontario government's Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/health/smoke_free/default.asp, a plan that encourages young people not to smoke, helps smokers quit, and protects people from exposure to second-hand smoke.

As most of you already know and those who have tried to quit, smoking is one of the toughest addictions to break. No one said quitting is easy, but campaigns like the National Non-Smoking Week help to make it possible.

For over 30 years, the third week in January has been known as National Non-Smoking Week, and every year there is a new theme. This year's theme is: "What have you got to lose?" And really, if you are a smoker who wants to quit, what have you got to lose by taking that next step to quit?

In fact, there is more support for smokers who want to quit today than ever before.

One example is the Smokers' Helpline service. Funded by the Ontario government, and operated by the Ontario division of the Canadian Cancer Society, it provides free, confidential advice, information and quit support. The service can be reached by calling 1-877-513-5333, or by going online to www.smokershelpline.ca

For smokers who want to buy nicotine replacement therapies they no longer have to pay provincial retail sales tax.

Then there is the very popular Driven to Quit Challenge, for those who want an added incentive to quit - like a chance to win a car. The province has once again partnered with the Ontario Division of the Canadian Cancer Society to give smokers that very chance if they can kick their habit for the month of March.

Thanks to the STOP Study www.stopstudy.ca smokers will also have access to free counselling and nicotine replacement therapies to help make kicking the habit even easier.

Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in Ontario. Every year, 13,000 Ontarians die because of tobacco use. That is 36 lives every day. I sincerely hope that smokers take advantage of the opportunities to quit, and take that next step towards a healthy life. After all, what have you got to lose?

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