AHS resources available to help Albertans quit tobacco

Wikimedia Commons image

Alberta Health Services

To mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is reminding southern Albertans about the health risks of tobacco use, the benefits of quitting and resources available to take those important first steps toward becoming tobacco-free.

This year’s World No Tobacco Day theme is Smokeless Doesn’t Mean Harmless. The focus is on raising awareness about the health risks associated with spit tobacco, which contains 28 known cancer-causing agents that can lead to cancers of the mouth, throat and esophagus; and heart conditions and dental problems, such as gum recession, yellow teeth and chronic bad breath.

AHS health facilitators in Brooks, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat will have tobacco information display booths in local hospital atriums May 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The booths will promote World No Tobacco Day and share information about AHS tobacco-cessation resources, such as the AlbertaQuits telephone line and online support services, QuitCore group cessation programs, and one-to-one counselling.

“Support is a crucial step in quitting,” says health promotion facilitator Rita Aman. “Former participants of our QuitCore program who have successfully quit often tell us how much healthier and stronger they feel. Some even attend future QuitCore sessions to share their success stories and encourage others they can do it too.”
AHS – in partnership with the City of Lethbridge – is offering a free, six-week QuitCore workshop at the Lethbridge Public Library May 29 to July 3. To register, call AlbertaQuits at 1-866-710-7848 (QUITS) or visit www.albertaquits.ca for more information.

Every year, more than 3,000 Albertans die as a result of tobacco use, while many others suffer from tobacco-related illnesses.