It's Non-Smoking week
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 15/01) - Alfred Moses learns by example. The 23-year-old community health worker grew up surrounded by dirty ashtrays and cigarette wrappers. He wished his parents would quit.
"Now I'm in a position to do something about it," he says.
| Smoking stats - 42 per cent of NWT residents over the age of 17 are smokers - in general, the smaller the community the higher the smoking rate -- 31 per cent of Yellowknife adults smoke, compared to 73 per cent in Paulatuk - smoking is particularly prevalent among NWT youth: 21 per cent of NWT residents aged 12-14 are smokers; the rate jumps to 48 per for 15-17 year-olds - the trend to higher smoking rates in smaller communities holds for students aged 10-17: in Yellowknife the rate is 17 per cent, in regional centres it averages 28 per cent, in smaller communities 39 per cent of students are smokers - if the overall rate of smoking in the NWT were equal to the national rate of 25 per cent there would be 4,600 in the NWT - the difference in smoking rates between the Northwest Territories and Canada is greatest in the 45 and older age group (37 per cent in the NWT compared to 18 per cent across the rest of the country) (*GNWT Health and Social Services department stats)
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He launches the week with a radio interview, followed by a school presentation. Promoting Weedless Wednesday started earlier this month.
Moses' list of national smoking statistics starts: "Smoking related deaths kill more than alcohol, AIDS, drugs, car crashes, suicide and murder put together."
Such medical and social implications are on government agendas.
The Department of Health and Social Services is re-releasing anti-smoking radio and television announcements this week.
The 30-60 second sound bites are stepping stones for future smoking cessation initiatives.
"The North is about 5-10 years behind the south on tobacco issues," says Rick Tremblay, chair of the Interdepartmental Tobacco Working (ITW) Group.
The 12-person ITW committee will table an extensive strategic report with cabinet this year.
In November, 17 people from Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik, Aklavik, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith and Rae-Edzo met in Yellowknife for a Tobacco Reduction workshop.
Alizette Drybones and her teen daughter Sheela attended the meeting.
"I know how hard it is to stop," says Alizette. Thirty-eight years after she started reaching for the cellophane-wrapped packs, the 48-year-old health worker is smoke-free.
Her advice to people attempting to follow in her footsteps: "Stay away from Bingo halls."
She too will make anti-smoking presentations in her community during National Non-Smoking week.
Samantha Dick, 19, form Aklavik says the workshop made her want to quit. Dick spends $120 month to support her smoking habit. After looking at rotten lungs and stained teeth, the high school soccer player is re-thinking her future.
"I started when I was 12. I asked a friend for a drag and just kept puffing," she says. "After the workshop I realized I'd like to quit. I have cut down since then."
Fort Smith's Rob Laviolette attended the Nov. meeting.
The 23-year-old youth worker and reformed smoker says smoking rates in teens is chronic.
"It's a concern and I'd like to see something start up," he says. Government funded programs would be a step in the right direction.
