Almost 2000 people a year die in Nova Scotia because of smoking.
That’s as good a reason to quit as any.
Today marks the final today of National Non-Smoking Week.
Mohammed Al-hamdani with the Lung Association of Nova Scotia, says it’s important to keep awareness of smoking because it still one of the top causes of preventable death in the county.
He says the week reminds smokers why it’s important to quit.
“For instance, improving their health as smoking affects every system in their body,” he says.
“And as far as lung health in concerned, about 85-90 per cent of lung disease is caused by smoking.”
Al-hamdani says roughly 20 per cent of residents in the Nova Scotia are smokers.
He says the final decision is up to the individual.
“We recommend evidence-based methods such as counselling, nicotine replacement therapy and prescription medications that are approved for quitting smoking.”
He says vapes and e-cigarettes are an alternative, but haven’t been proven as effective.
