Tobacco Workshop Critical Step in Reducing Smoking Rate

Nova Scotia now has the highest adult smoking rate in Canada, but is taking a critical step toward reducing the number of smokers. The Department of Health is bringing local stakeholders and international experts together this week for a workshop aimed at helping the province proceed with a comprehensive tobacco control strategy.

The objectives of the Tobacco Control Best Practices Workshop are to review best practices for comprehensive tobacco control, to identify components of such a strategy for Nova Scotia and the roles and responsibilities of participating organizations in implementing the provincial plan.

The strategy will be initiated through $450,000 in additional funding, as part of the government's commitment to provide an additional $1 million for health promotion and disease prevention initiatives. The funding represents a significant investment in the fight against tobacco use, which kills 1,400 Nova Scotians every year.

"As a government we are very concerned about the high smoking rates in this province, particularly among our youth," said Premier John Hamm. "Given that tobacco use represents the single greatest health risk to Nova Scotians, targeting health promotion and disease prevention efforts in this area is certainly one of our top priorities."

Countless Nova Scotians suffer from smoking-related illnesses, and the costs of treating these illnesses surpassed $170 million last year. Health Minister Jamie Muir agrees the time has come to take a hard look at tobacco use from a health promotion, disease- prevention stance.

"It is no coincidence that Nova Scotia has both the highest smoking rate in Canada and high rates of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and cancer," said Mr. Muir. "This workshop will help us focus on the types of programs and initiatives we need to have a real impact on tobacco use in the province and to improve the health of Nova Scotians."

Representatives of the Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, the Lung Association of Nova Scotia, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Medical Society of Nova Scotia, Smoke-Free Nova Scotia, Public Health, Addiction Services and other interested organizations will be involved in the two-day workshop on June 19 and 20 at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Halifax. Stakeholders from other Atlantic Provinces will also attend to learn more about Nova Scotia's proposed strategy and opportunities for regional partnerships.

Participants will hear from national and international experts in the field of tobacco control regarding their experiences, lessons and research findings. Among the presenters are Dr. Allyn Taylor from the World Health Organization's Tobacco Control Initiative, Dr. Lawrence Green of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Dr. Greg Connelly of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and Shelley Canitz, Director of the British Columbia Ministry of Health's Tobacco Strategy Branch.

Massachusetts began implementing its world-renowned tobacco control strategy in 1992 and has seen per capita cigarette consumption fall 34 per cent, from 117 packs in 1992 to 77 packs in 1999. British Columbia's strategy has helped that province achieve the lowest smoking rates in Canada.

The Nova Scotia strategy is expected to be built around the same elements as other successful models including: cessation; media/public messaging; community-based programs; legislation/policy, taxation and evaluation/monitoring.

Dr. Gerry Brosky, past-president of Smoke-Free Nova Scotia, feels effective tobacco control and a significant reduction in smoking prevalence in Nova Scotia are possible and an essential element of health care reform.

"This strategy has the potential to save lives, prevent illness, disability and death and produce significant cost savings for the health care system," said Dr. Brosky. "We must take action in these key areas, the seriousness of the tobacco issue in this province demands nothing less."