KELOWNA – It’s National Non-Smoking Week, another chance for health officials to call on smokers to butt out. However, if you are still smoking you’re not alone. The latest numbers from Statistics Canada show in 2013 19.3 per cent of Canadians over the age of 12 said they smoked. In British Columbia that number was slightly lower at 16.2 per cent.
“What is happening now is that the rates are plateauing a little bit within B.C. and basically this is a good thing, but there is still work to be done because obviously there are still people who need support to quit,” says Cheryl Sidenberg, a tobacco reduction coordinator with the Interior Health Authority.
The health authority suggests those looking to kick the habit visit quitnow.ca or take advantage of the B.C. Smoking Cessation Program.
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