Nunavut’s Department of Health points to quit-tobacco resources
“It affects breathing and makes physical activity … very difficult”
Nunavut’s Department of Health reminds residents that tobacco use is unhealthy. (FILE PHOTO)
Nunavut’s Department of Health is using National Non-Smoking Week to remind residents who want to quite quit cigarettes and tobacco about how to seek help.
This year, the annual awareness week aimed at combating tobacco use runs from Jan. 20 until Jan. 26.
“Smoking is harmful. It makes asthma worse, increases risks of pneumonia, decreases lung function and can lead to significant health concerns, such as cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” the Department of Health said in a public service announcement.
“It affects breathing and makes physical activity like singing or playing sports very difficult.”
The rates of tobacco use are high among people of all ages in Nunavut, including youth, the PSA said.
According to Statistics Canada, one in two Nunavut youth are smokers.
That’s three times higher than the national average.
Additionally, a 2012 study found that 75 per cent of Inuit men and 74 per cent of Inuit women in Inuit Nunangat reported they smoked, and most smoked daily.
“Cigarettes, chewed tobacco and snuff are harmful and addictive, even after only a few uses,” said the PSA.
Tobacco users also have an increased risk of getting tuberculosis, which is higher in Nunavut than anywhere else in Canada.
Counselling support and nicotine reduction therapy medications can double the chances of successfully quitting tobacco-use.
The Department of Health suggests speaking with a local health care provider or calling the Nunavut QuitLine at 1-866-368-7848 for advice on kicking the habit.
Replacement therapy products like the nicotine patch, gum and inhaler are available for free at local health centres or the pharmacy.
If I asked you one question…
Please inhale over 4,000 burning chemicals into your lungs, you would say “are you crazy – no!”
Yet, several times a day, that is just what Nunavummiut are doing.
Those burning chemicals are pretty hard to take and smell awful. that morning shower is long gone, as soon as you light up! It stinks up your clothing, your hair, your skin, your breath and then you pick up a small child or go back into your office and everybody gags from the chemicals you are giving off.
We did not fight all these years for a different kind of Nunavut, just to have everyone blowing themselves away, shortening their lifespan by many years, not getting their chance to help their grand children grow up and dying a very horrible death!
Come on Nunavummiut….Quit It !