The Government of Canada is a world leader in tobacco control and remains committed to protecting Canadians from the dangers of tobacco. National Non-Smoking Week is an opportunity to learn more about the dangers of tobacco use and ways to quit.
Our Government is taking action to protect children and youth from the dangers of tobacco use. That is why, during this year's National Non-Smoking Week, the Government of Canada is renewing its commitment to amend the schedule to the Tobacco Act to further restrict the use of additives, including flavouring additives, which are used to market cigars that appeal to youth.
Our Government is also providing funding through the renewed Federal Tobacco Control Strategy to support projects aimed at reducing smoking rates in First Nations and Inuit communities in each region. Other initiatives to help Canadians become and stay smoke-free include prohibiting the advertising of cigarettes in newspapers and other publications.
As part of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy, the Government of Canada is investing $4.8 million over five years to encourage young adult smokers aged 20 to 24 to quit smoking and stay smoke-free. Last year Health Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society launched the Break It Off tobacco cessation campaign, encouraging young adult smokers to "break off" their bad relationship with tobacco and protect themselves against the harms of tobacco use.
During National Non-Smoking Week this year, the awareness and outreach campaign will be touring select college and university campuses to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and the support available to help quit.
Our Government has made significant progress in protecting Canadians against tobacco, and making smoking less affordable, less accessible and less appealing to Canadians, especially to our young people. We are seeing positive trends from efforts to prevent against the dangers of tobacco, and the rate of cigarette smoking in Canada is the lowest it has ever been.
During this week, and throughout the year, we 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.
If you smoke, improve your health today and Break it off!
Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health
