This week (January 19-25) is National Non-Smoking Week and it may just be the right time for you to “butt out”.  VCH has a wide variety of resources available to staff who are trying to quit smoking.

Interested in quitting?

We know quitting is hard so we have many resources available if you are ready to quit smoking.

• B.C.’s Smoking Cessation Program helps British Columbians stop smoking or using other tobacco products by assisting with the cost of smoking cessation aids. Over 100,000 British Columbians have used this program. Once a year, B.C. residents with a Medical Services Plan can receive a free, continuous 12-week supply of nicotine-replacement gum or patches. Call 8-1-1 for more information and support from QuitNow services.
• All VCH staff currently enrolled in the extended health benefits plan can access smoking cessation medications through the VCH Health Benefit Plan. For more information, check out the VCH Health Benefit Plan bulletin.
  
• If you have a group of staff who are interested in cutting down or quitting, VCH Tobacco Reduction will provide a trained facilitator for your group. VCH Tobacco Reduction also offers free smoking cessation groups. To register, call 604-675-3801. For more information, please contact smokefree@vch.ca.

Truth in Advertising

This year’s theme is “Truth in Advertising” with the visual of a cigarette pack shaped liked a coffin. “If tobacco companies were truthful in their advertising, their packaging would be in the shape of a coffin,” said Bob Walsh, Executive Director of the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control. Instead, flavoured tobacco is being marketed to youth in the shape of lip gloss, with colourful visuals, and candy and fruit flavours. Sadly, the marketing is working. A recent study showed that over half of high school students in B.C. who used tobacco in the previous 30 days had used flavoured tobacco products.

Find out more about the campaign to ban flavoured tobacco at: www.myonething.ca

Want more information about National Non-Smoking Week?

With other tobacco reduction questions or requests, including backgrounders and posters on this year’s theme, please contact the VCH Regional Tobacco Reduction Coordinator in your area.