AHS celebrates National Non-Smoking Week

Several events planned across Central Zone

RED DEER— Next week is National Non-Smoking Week, and Alberta Health Services (AHS) is partnering with communities throughout Central Zone to raise awareness amongst Albertans about the dangers of tobacco and tobacco-like products.

The majority of Albertans choose tobacco-free lives, and are aware of the dangers of tobacco and nicotine (the highlight addictive compound found within tobacco). Unfortunately, fewer Albertans are aware of the dangers of tobacco-like products, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), hookah and/or shisha. These products can – and often do – contain tobacco and nicotine.

The commonly held misconception that tobacco-like products are somehow safer than tobacco products poses a significant risk to Albertan’s health. Products like e-cigarettes – for which there are no standards or labelling requirements – contain multiple dangerous chemicals, and tests of some of these products labelled “nicotine-free” have found them to contain nicotine after all.

Similarly, tests have found varying amounts of tobacco in shisha products labelled as “herbal” or “tobacco-free.” Smoke from hookah has been linked to diseases that are usually seen with the smoking of cigarettes, such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and complications in pregnancy.

In the Central Zone, residents are invited to attend the following events and displays, which seek to raise awareness of the hidden dangers of tobacco-like products, and highlight the many ways Albertans can prevent and reduce use:

• The Five Day NNSW Challenge will launch January 18 in Stettler. Hosted by the Highway 12 Communities for Drug Prevention Coalition, residents are invited to participate in the five day challenge by visiting highway12communities.ca. Each day participants can choose from one of two posted challenges and receive specific tips and resources to be tobacco-free. Former smokers are also invited to share their tips and quit stories to encourage participants.
• Drumheller residents will be able to access free resources and quit tips from a display booth set up at the Drumheller Health Centre throughout the week.
• Residents will also have the opportunity to attend two presentations in Drumheller at the Badlands Community Facility. On Monday, January 18 at 9:30 a.m. there will be a presentation for seniors and on Wednesday, January 20 at 10 a.m. there will be an interagency presentation for all interested residents.
• Staff will also be hosting a number of displays and activities with local schools during the week.

An annual event across Canada for more than 30 years, National Non-Smoking Week aims to raise awareness about the health risks of tobacco, in all its forms, as it provides education on the resources and support services available for those who wish to reduce or quit tobacco use.

For more information on tobacco, tobacco-like products, and supports to quit, visit albertaquits.ca.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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