Nov 30
2006

See how much you know about youth and smoking in Canada. The facts could astound you. Answer true or false to the following statements.

1. Almost all adult smokers began smoking before they could legally buy cigarettes.

2. The sophistication, fun and glamour messages seen in ads, or in the movies, do not play an important role in getting young people to start smoking.

3. Teenagers smoke more than a billion cigarettes a year.

4. Children exposed to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) from parents have more childhood illnesses than children in smoke-free homes.

5. One out of 10 teens that try smoking get hooked.

6. Research has shown that tobacco prevention programs should be taught continuously from kindergarten through high school if students are to lead a smoke-free lifestyle.

Answers

1. True. And among teen smokers, females had their first cigarette by approximately the age of 12 and males by the age of 13.

2. False. Kids are twice as likely to be influenced by advertising as they are from peer pressure. Young people are three times more likely to smoke if their film heroes smoke.

3. True. Teenagers do smoke more than a billion cigarettes a year, resulting in retail sales worth over $400 million. The average teen spends $1,000 per year on cigarettes.

4. True. Children exposed to ETS in homes have a higher number of childhood illnesses than children in

smoke-free homes. For example, in Canada there are 2,200 bronchitis hospitalizations, 11,000 ear infections and 180,000 asthma cases per year.

5. False. In fact, the number is much higher. Eight out of 10 teens that try smoking get hooked. Seventy percent of 15-19 year-old smokers report at least one attempt to quit smoking over the last 12 months.

6. True. Building a foundation in the early grades gives students a head start in gaining an awareness and attitude to shape a healthy lifestyle. A new and innovative smoking prevention program is now available to all elementary and high schools in Ontario through The Lung Association.

To learn more, visit www.lungsareforlife.ca or call 1-888-566-5864 (LUNG).

From The Lung Association

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Aug 4
2006

Because one in five Canadians is living with a serious lung disease, The Lung Association specializes in giving you advice and information about how to control asthma, improve the quality of life for people with breathing difficulty due to lung illness and fund respiratory medical research.

The Lung Association helps people with asthma by helping them to understand: what asthma is; how it can affect you; the symptoms; how to avoid asthma triggers; treatment options; up-to-date information about asthma medications; and most importantly, how to achieve good asthma management.

For those who identify themselves in one of the following categories: a current or former person who smokes; been exposed to occupational dusts; or maybe even excessive outdoor air pollution, you may suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. We can help you and your family to cope with the emotional hurdles and physical challenges of living with COPD and we understand that COPD is a disease that can affect every part of your life. We can offer the support and practical information you need to live life to the fullest with COPD and help you to learn more about what it is, its symptoms and diagnosis. Our COPD educators will provide you with free information, resources, and support. Visit the Web site www.lung.ca/ breathworks or call our toll-free Breath Works helpline at 1-888-566-5864 (LUNG).

Since our lives depend on every breath we take, The Lung Association provides information to help you take simple actions that will make a positive difference to the indoor air you breathe.

Did you know that the air indoors can sometimes be as hazardous as the air outside on a smoggy summer day? That’s important to know because on average, we spend between 80 and 90 percent of our time indoors. Our activities and the products we use can cause indoor air quality problems and can be made worse without adequate ventilation. We’ll tell you how you can use less toxic cleaning products; ensure adequate ventilation, and look for potential pollutants such as mould and fungus. Let us help you to keep your indoor air clean. Call us for advice and get your free copy of our Healthy Home Audit.

Something as simple as breathing is difficult for one in five Canadians. Your support is needed through our Christmas Seal Campaign, because, when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters. Call our toll-free number 1-888-566-5864 (LUNG) or visit us at www.lung.ca.

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