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NSW celebrates World No Tobacco Day

Community news
31 May 2012
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Every year on World No Tobacco Day we’re all encouraged to abstain from use of tobacco, so that makes Thursday a great day to start your quit journey.

We're here to aid you in that, with quitting support online through iCanQuit.com.au and over the phone from Quitline on 13 7848.

The good news for former smokers is that you have taken back ten years of your life, on average, just by quitting and staying quit. Quitting is a critical decision because tobacco kills almost half of its users. That's why we would like to congratulate the 40,900 people who have kicked the habit over the last 12 months. Take a deep breath, you've  got a wonderful smoke-free and healthier future ahead.

The World Health Organisation is this year focussing on tobacco industry interference in smoking reforms, such those pursued in Australia, including plain packaging and health warnings on packs.

Two years ago the Australian Government chose World No Tobacco Day to make government offices and hospitals smoke free, and the NSW Government is continuing that push, with sweeping new reforms to outlaw smoking in public places announced in February and introduced into the NSW Parliament today.

Cancer Institute NSW Manager of Cancer Prevention, Blythe O'Hara discusses World No Tobacco Day, how you can quit smoking, and where you can find help.

More information

Click here to find out more about tobacco control in NSW

Find out about the latest Anti-Tobacco Community Grants to promote smoke-free cultures here

Start your quit journey today with iCanQuit.com.au

 

Need some motivation?

  1. Health benefits: As an ex-smoker your risk of cancer, a stroke, emphysema and heart disease decreases. If you quit before 50, your risk of dying in the next 15 years is halved.
  2. Vision and beauty: As an ex-smoker, you are less likely to have premature wrinkles, have yellow teeth, risk losing your teeth, have bad breath, cataracts and macular degeneration.
  3. Reproductive health: By quitting, you reduce your chances of impotence, difficulty conceiving, miscarriage and premature births.
  4. For your kids: Quit smoking and you lower your children's risk of SIDS, asthma, allergies and even being smokers themselves.
  5. Save money: A former pack-a-day smoker can save $4,500 a year.
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