Smoking is big health issues as cigarettes lead to lung cancer which is the leading cause of cancer death in the country. In fact, Lung cancer represented 27% of cancer deaths in 2014.
Trying to reduce these numbers and safe lives, the government has issued different bills that bans cigarettes commercials, regulates places where you can smoke and introduce high taxes on the price of smokes. Ontario’s new anti-smoking bill
At the same time, there are organizations trying to motivate smokers to quit with contests like driven to quit where you can win a car or money prizes.
Reasons why it’s so hard to quit
Now, as we all know it’s really easy to get addicted to cigarettes and besides the fact nicotine it’s addictive we don’t really know why is so hard to quit. The answer to this question might be behind how our bodies react to nicotine.
“Nicotine stimulates the pathways of your brain, with a shot of dopamine which is linked to pleasure. Nicotine also increases the levels of endorphin which is associated with a sense of relaxation and feel good” Lorri Pallen,Regional Manager of the Lung Association.
Another big reason quitting is hard. It’s the correlation between drinking and smoking.
“When you are drinking sugar levels decrease, so tobacco companies have added sugar to cigarettes to create that correlation between these 2 common habits” Lorri Pallen,Regional Manager of the Lung Association.
Places to Go
The Canadian Cancer Society plays a big role in the promotion of risks of smoking and its consequences. They also give lots of support, holding national events and campaigns. The Cancer Society, also runs the smokers helpline which gives support to people looking for professional help. The helpline gives to the caller information of places to go and things to do depending on the level of support needed.
Other organizations give support by running different programs to give tips and information to all those interested to quit. Some examples are STOP by the Nicotine dependence clinic and YouthsCan.
