Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Logo       home   about us   services   health facts   health STATS   teens   resources   contact us     search

Resources

Introduction Brief Clinical Interventions Beginning the Brief Clinical Intervention Stages of Change Stages of Change Information 4 A’s, 5 R’s SOC & Main Interventions Quick Reference Active Living BCI Tool using Stages of Change Healthy Eating, Healthy Weights BCI Tool using Stages of Change Low Risk Drinking BCI Tool using Stages of Change Tobacco-free Living Smoking Cessation Intervention (4 A’s Program) BCI Tool using Stages of Change Resource Options Links Health Promotion Calendar Health Connection Flyer Call to Action Health Professionals –Take the Challenge Endnotes


Tobacco Free Living - In a Nutshell

Tobacco-Free Living is a term used to describe a way of life for an individual who does not use tobacco and is not exposed to second-hand smoke. Life without tobacco means a healthier life for you!

Quitting Smoking Reduces the Risks for:
Cardiovascular Disease In 2000 in Simcoe County 306 men and 257 women died from IHD. 33
Stroke In 2000 in Simcoe County 104 men and 116 women died from stroke. 33
Cancer (general) In 2000 in Simcoe County 446 men and 397 women died from cancer. 34
Breast & Cervical Cancer In 2000 in Simcoe County 66 women died from breast cancer. During the five year period between 1996 to 2000, in Simcoe County 27 women died from cervical cancer. 34
Lung Cancer In 2000 in Simcoe County 140 men and 92 women died from lung cancer. 34
Lung Diseases In 1999 in Simcoe County 125 people died from chronic obstructive lung disease. 35, 36
Smokers are at increased risk of respiratory infection (pneumonia, influenza, and colds) compared to non-smokers. 37
Health Risks for Non-Smokers At least 11 Simcoe County residents die each year from breathing second-hand smoke. 38

Second-hand Smoke

  • Second-hand smoke (SHS) has been identified as one of the possible causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 34
  • Children found to breathe SHS have a higher rate of asthma, ear infections and respiratory problems. 35
  • SHS contains more than 50 cancer causing chemicals. 36
  • The effects of SHS on adults include cancer of the lung, breast, bladder, pancreas, liver and brain, heart disease, asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia. 37

Warning: Smoking and Pregnancy

  • Smoking increases the risk of low birth weight. 38
  • Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage. 39
  • Babies receive nicotine and carbon monoxide from their mother’s blood. 40
  • Smoking has a direct effect on the growth and long term development of the fetus. 41

The Good News

  • After 15 years off cigarettes, the risk of death for ex-smokers returns to nearly the level of persons who have never smoked. 42
  • The risk of lung cancer for ex-smokers drops to as much as one half that of continuing smokers, after 10 years. 43
  • After 1 year of being smoke-free, the excess risk of heart disease caused by smoking is reduced by half. 44
  • Ex-smokers who have been off cigarettes for many years are less likely to die of chronic lung diseases, such as emphysema, than those who continue to smoke. 45
  • Quitting smoking reduces the risk of repeat heart attacks and death from heart disease by 50% or more. 46
  • Women who stop smoking before becoming pregnant or during the first trimester of pregnancy, reduce their risk of having low birthweight babies. 47

Protect Yourself - Add it all up
  • People who quit smoking are more likely than current smokers to exercise regularly. Exercise may help new quitters stay off cigarettes and avoid or minimize weight gain. 48
  • On average, it takes a smoker 5 to 7 times of trying to quit smoking before they are able to quit for good.
  • Once you have stopped smoking, you may be tempted to eat more to cope with nicotine cravings. Building healthy, tasty, well-balanced meals and snacks into your day will help you maintain a healthy weight. 49
  • Current smokers have reported others’ smoking as one of their main challenges to quitting, and top reasons for relapse. Creation of supportive environments/smoke-free places (home, car, public places) are proven to motivate smokers’ to quit smoking and help ex-smokers stay smoke-free. 50

Click here for resources (posters)

Next Page
Arrow that will return the browser to top of page Return to top of page Last Updated - Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Disclaimer Privacy Copyright