Sunrise Health Region reminds residents that there are many resources available to assist in quitting smoking. With the New Year upon us, now may be the ideal time to make a resolution to quit. In Canada, 20.8% of the population smoke tobacco; in Sunrise Health Region, 29.4% of the population smoke tobacco (source: Sunrise Health Region Health Status Report 2012). These numbers are among the highest rates of tobacco use in the country.
There are many reasons why it is hard to quit smoking and it can take several attempts before a person is successful. Cigarettes and other forms of tobacco contain nicotine, a powerful, addictive drug. Nicotine can make users feel stimulated, and smokers' bodies and brains get used to nicotine. Smoking also becomes part of a routine. In order to successfully quit smoking, new routines need to be established.
Statistics indicate that quitting "cold turkey" has a 5% success rate, medication doubles the rate of success in quitting tobacco use and combining medication with brief advice increases your "quit attempt" by 6 times (or 30%). Counseling, medications and other supports are available from a variety of organizations to help in the effort to quit smoking.
Links to a wide variety of resources including the Canadian Cancer Society, the Partnership to Assist with Cessation of Tobacco (PACT), the Province of Saskatchewan and the Lung Association are available on the Sunrise Health Region website under "Champion your Health/Reduce Tobacco Use" (www.sunrisehealthregion.sk.ca).
The Sunrise Health Region Tobacco Reduction Action Plan has been developed as a two-pronged approach to eliminate tobacco use on all health facility grounds by July 1, 2013 and for on-going reduction of tobacco consumption in our communities.
