World No Tobacco Day is May 31. You probably didn’t know that
Even though they’re not as popular as they used to be, those sly tobacco ads are still around us, trying to convince us that, despite the known health risks, you should buy these harmful products.
On May 31, join your VCH colleagues, the World Health Organization and the rest of the globe to remember the health risks of tobacco use and help push for policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
This year’s theme is: ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship that everyone, especially young people, are exposed to.
Test your tobacco knowledge and win a gift card!
Take the quiz to see how much you know about tobacco and your name will be placed in a draw to win a $25 Starbucks gift card.
The Good News – British Columbian children are protected from numerous forms of tobacco industry advertising through bans on television, print, and billboard advertising and display bans in grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and pharmacies (yes, pharmacies in B.C. still sell tobacco, but that is another issue).
The Bad News – Our children are still exposed to excessive tobacco impressions through film, music and music videos, video games and the Internet. In 2012, the Surgeon General concluded that there is a direct relationship between smoking images in the movies and the uptake of smoking by young people. That same year there were 14.8 billion instances of tobacco use in youth-rated movies, an increase of 33% from 2011.
The Solution – Protect your children from needless tobacco imagery. Before going to the theatres or renting a DVD check out the website to find out if the film is smoke-free or if it promotes tobacco use.
Having a tough time quitting?
The Resources – You not only have the power to quit, but you have the support as well. If you are ready to quit or would like more information, we have resources and services in place to help you.
- Call 8-1-1 for free nicotine gum or nicotine patches for 12 consecutive weeks per year
- Contact the Employee Family Assistance Program for free counseling support and services
- Use EFAP’s QuitNow service for support
- Contact Pacific Blue Cross about medications. Or learn more at the VCH Health Benefit Plan bulletin
- Enroll in the VGH Smoking Cessation Clinic – call 604-875-4800