AHS celebrates National Non-Smoking Week

GRANDE PRAIRIE — This week (Jan. 17-23) is National Non-Smoking Week, and Alberta Health Services (AHS) is partnering with community organizations in Grande Prairie 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 highly 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 Grande Prairie, residents and media 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:

• Thursday, Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Eastlink Centre, located at 10 Knowledge Way
  • AHS staff will be on-site to answer questions
  • A display sharing information about hookas and electronic cigarettes will be available
  • Information about how to become tobacco free will also be available
  • Residents and business owners can learn more about the Alberta Tobacco Reduction Act, what it means to them, and how to ensure they are complying
  • Managers and business owners can learn about how they can support their employees to become smoke-free

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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