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Ontario Health Professionals Join Battle Against Tobacco Use

Toronto, January 11, 2006 – It is estimated that tobacco use kills about 16 thousand Ontarians each year. For National Non-Smoking Week (NNSW), January 15 to 21, 2006, Ontario’s physicians, pharmacists and dentists want you to know that they can help you stop using tobacco. Physicians, pharmacists and dentists are ready to counsel and provide tips to help patients end tobacco use and promote a healthier Ontario.

Many people begin the New Year with intentions to stop smoking. As primary health care providers, physicians, pharmacists and dentists are trusted and credible sources of health information and can play a vital role in helping you to quit smoking.

“Deciding to quit smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health,” said Dr. Ted Boadway, Executive Director of Health Policy at the OMA. “Your doctor can help you understand your addiction and help develop a plan to quit.”

These health care professionals understand that quitting is a process, and that it can take time to become smoke-free. Physicians, pharmacists and dentists recognize the challenges of trying to quit smoking and can offer support and advice without judgment. There are many options available to help people trying to quit smoking, including medications and cessation services and your physician, pharmacist and dentist can discuss these with you and help you determine what is right for you.

“Pharmacists are available in every community in Ontario,” said Rob Modestino, Chair of the Board, Ontario Pharmacists’ Association. “Your pharmacist can show you how to use stop smoking medications, either over-the-counter products such as nicotine patches or gum, or prescription medications, and help you quit for good.”

NNSW is one of the most important events in Canada's ongoing public education efforts to control tobacco use with Weedless Wednesday being January 18 th 2006.

“Dentists see first-hand the association between tobacco use and a range of oral diseases, from gum disease to oral cancer,” said Dr. Jocelyn Pearce, President of the ODA. “Identifying and discussing the early oral effects of smoking with our patients is an important step in helping them to quit tobacco use.”

Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death and disease in Canada. Since 2000, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), Ontario Pharmacists' Association (OPA) and Ontario Dental Association (ODA) have collaborated together on the Clinical Tobacco Intervention Program (CTI) to ensure their members are prepared to help patients quit smoking. The CTI Program is funded, in part, by the Government of Ontario.

For more information please contact:
Nadia Daniell, OMA, Media Relations at (416) 340-2960
Mary-Anne Cedrone, OPA, Manager, Communications at (416) 441-0788, ext 4266
Ken Swartz, ODA, Communications Manager at (416) 355-2251

For more information please contact OMA Media Relations at (416) 340-2862 or toll free at 1-800-268-7215.