Smokers looking to kick the nic may find no better day on the calendar to do so than today.
Jan. 18 marks Weedless Wednesday, which just so happens to fall smack dab in the middle of National Non-Smoking Week (NNSW).
Weedless Wednesday has been a focal point of the NNSW campaign since its inception 40 years ago and pushes the concept of focusing on a one-day-at-a-time approach to quitting smoking.
“Since 1977, we have observed National Non-Smoking Week as one of the longest-running public health events in Canada’s history,” Health Minister Terry Lake said in a news release. “Each year we take the opportunity to emphasize the importance of quitting smoking, even trying it ‘one day at a time’ on Weedless Wednesday.”
NNSW kicked off Jan. 15 and runs until Jan. 21. Its timing in the third week of January is purposely placed during a time when those who resolved to quit as of Jan. 1 may be wavering.
Part of Lake’s announcement recognizing NNSW also propped up the government’s smoking cessation program, which was introduced in 2011 and refined in early 2016. Last year’s changes included a move away from the need to call HealthLink BC’s 8-1-1 service to access the program.
Now users join the program, which includes free smoking cessation gums, patches and plans, via their pharmacy and pharmacists. More than 234,000 B.C. residents have used the program since its establishment six years ago.
“Tobacco is pervasive and attractive, and we need to think outside the box for ways to help limit the number of young people starting to smoke,” Lake said. “Having a variety of options means people trying to quit will have a better chance of finding a product that works best for them.”
Information on the smoking cessation program can be found online at quitnow.ca.
