If at first you don't succeed try, try again.
That is the message the Middlesex London Health Unit is sending to people looking to butt out this National Non-Smoking Week.
The health unit in partnership with the Southwest Tobacco Control Area Network launched the Don’t Quit Quitting campaign on Monday. Through videos and social media posts the campaign emphasizes the importance of not giving up, even if past efforts to quit smoking have been challenging or unsuccessful.
“For those trying to quit smoking, no matter the timeline, we encourage you not to give up on the journey and keep trying,” Dr. Alex Summers, the region's medical officer of health, said in a statement. “Quitting smoking offers immediate benefits, like lower blood pressure within 20 minutes. Advantages continue for up to 10 years, reducing the risk of serious health conditions to that of a non-smoker.”
The health unit noted that stopping smoking is not easy as nicotine in cigarettes is highly addictive. That is why it tends to take people several attempts before they finally kick the habit.
The smoking rate in Canada was approximately 10 per cent in 2022, according to Health Canada. The country's tobacco strategy aims to bring the rate down to less than 5 per cent by 2035.
Every year in Canada, 46,000 people die from tobacco-related disease, Health Canada figures from 2023 show.
Information on the advantages of quitting smoking, as well as tips and resources to help can be found at dontquitquitting.ca.
National Non-Smoking Week runs until January 27.
