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Embrace Non-Smoking Week

Next week is Non-Smoking Week in Canada. A recent study indicates Saskatchewan has some of the highest smoking rates in Canada. As a non smoker, that statistic surprised me, but only because I wasn’t really paying attention.

Next week is Non-Smoking Week in Canada.

A recent study indicates Saskatchewan has some of the highest smoking rates in Canada. As a non smoker, that statistic surprised me, but only because I wasn’t really paying attention.

It’s one of those times when, once something is brought to your attention, you start to take note.

I’ve observed many people smoking in their vehicles. Thankfully, in most instances, these people were alone in the cab. When I drove past a local training centre for adult students recently, it seemed the entire student body was out in the parking lot puffing away.

The smoking area behind our own building is a popular one, with about one-third of the workforce being smokers.

Even in my own family, in spite of my best efforts to discourage it, one of my children smokes. I rarely observe this personally, but I know it to be fact.

We need to do better. Scary packaging, hiding the product away from view and enforcing age limits on purchasing tobacco are all good steps in preventing smoking, but obviously more needs to be done.

Perhaps in the way those who have been impacted by impaired driving take their stories to students in schools, a similar campaign of those who have been hurt by tobacco should take to the stage. Unfortunately the impact of smoking and second-hand smoke are so profound those who are hurt by tobacco use seldom live to tell the tale. Perhaps those close to them should take up the gauntlet and share how tragic it is to lose a loved one to what was a completely preventable illness or condition.

Embrace Non-Smoking Week. Spread the word.