Tobacco use is one of the leading risk factors for chronic disease and is responsible for more than 37,000 premature deaths in Canada each year. National Non-Smoking Week provides the opportunity to highlight and renew our collective efforts to reduce tobacco use in this country.
Today, the Government of Canada joined the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) to launch Break It Off - a campaign designed to help young adults quit smoking and stay smoke-free. This multi-year $4.8 million campaign is part of the Government's Federal Tobacco Control Strategy which demonstrates our commitment to protecting Canadians from the dangers of tobacco use.
This initiative builds on our Government's ongoing support to reduce tobacco use. Truth in Advertising is the theme for this year's National Non-Smoking Week. The Government has addressed tobacco advertising through the Cracking Down On Tobacco Marketing Aimed At Youth Act. This legislation increased restrictions on tobacco advertising. The changes have prohibited tobacco companies from advertising cigarettes in Canadian newspapers and any other Canadian publication available to children, making it harder for industry to entice youth to smoke.
Most recently, our Government introduced new larger warning labels on cigarette and little cigar packages and has provided support for the toll-free pan-Canadian quitline number and web address that appear on these packages. These tools link smokers to quit smoking support services that are free of charge.
Our Government is proud of the significant progress we have made in tobacco control to make smoking less affordable, less accessible and less appealing to Canadians, especially to our young people. Rates of tobacco use in Canada are currently at the lowest rate ever at 16 per cent. Only 7 per cent of Canadian youth aged 15-17 smoke, another record low.
I would like to give a special thanks to the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control (CCTC) for their continued leadership and support of National Non-Smoking Week.
During this week, let's continue to support smokers in their efforts to quit smoking and live healthier lives. Canadians needing support to quit smoking can call a quit coach at 1-866-366-3667 or visit You can quit smoking. We can help.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health
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