London, ON – Tomorrow is Weedless Wednesday, the annual one-day challenge that encourages people who smoke to butt out, and encourages people who use smokeless forms of tobacco, like dip, chew or snuff, to keep it in the tin for at least one day, as a first step to becoming tobacco-free for life.
Weedless Wednesday marks the mid-point of National Non-Smoking Week. Established in 1977 by the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control, the week-long campaign raises awareness about the effects of tobacco use in an effort to help people avoid ever starting to use tobacco and to promote tobacco-free homes, workplaces and public places. Weedless Wednesday has become a day dedicated to quitting all forms of tobacco.
"For a lot of smokers, the thought of giving up cigarettes for a lifetime, a month, or even a week, can seem to be too big a challenge," says Linda Stobo, Chronic Disease Prevention & Tobacco Control Manager with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. "Quitting takes planning, practice and patience.”
The Middlesex-London Health Unit is also concerned about the growing perception that smokeless forms of tobacco are harmless, hearing reports that young men, especially those involved in sports and athletics, are using chew tobacco and dip.
“Smokeless forms of tobacco contain over 3000 chemicals and 28 carcinogens, and can cause oral cancer, heart disease, dental diseases, stomach ulcers, abnormal blood pressure and kidney disease,” says Stobo. “We're hoping that all tobacco users will take up the challenge on Weedless Wednesday, to quit for one day as a manageable first step towards kicking their deadly addiction for good."
Tobacco users can access additional support through the Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or at www.smokershelplineonline.ca. Pharmacists and healthcare providers are also a great connection to learn more about stop-smoking medications and counseling support. Additional information can also be found by visiting the Middlesex-London Health Unit's website at www.healthunit.com then clicking on the "Smoke Free" link from the Health Information list.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext.2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Linda Stobo, Program Manager, Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control, Middlesex-London Health Unit