May 16, 2013
EDMONTON – Albertans are encouraged to share their stories of quitting or never starting tobacco use as part of an Alberta Health Services (AHS) campaign launching today to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Barb Tarbox, one of Canada’s foremost anti-tobacco activists.
AHS is now accepting these stories, in the form of written word, original poems, artwork, video clips or songs, via mail or email. Detailed submission instructions can be found online at www.albertahealthservices.ca/8434.asp. Deadline for submissions is Sept. 16.
“Barb’s support of the Alberta Tobacco Reduction Strategy, and its goal of preventing young Albertans from starting to use tobacco, was unwavering and inspirational,” says Dr. Brent Friesen, AHS Medical Officer of Health, Safe and Healthy Environments.
“In remembrance of this inspirational presence, the Barb Tarbox Legacy Story Campaign will continue what Barb started, encouraging Albertans to inspire others by sharing what has driven them to live a tobacco-free life.”
Tarbox, a lifelong smoker who died in May 2003 from lung and brain cancer, spent her final months travelling the country, speaking to more than 50,000 Canadian youth about the dangers of tobacco. The Edmonton resident also contributed enormously to the tobacco reduction movement in Alberta.
Select submissions to the Barb Tarbox Legacy Story Campaign will be profiled at the annual Barb Tarbox Awards of Excellence in Tobacco Reduction this fall, and 100 other participants will be selected to receive copies of either the book, Barb's Miracle: How Barb Tarbox Transformed Her Deadly Cancer into a Lifesaving Crusade, or DVD, Barb Tarbox: A Life Cut Short by Tobacco.
Barb’s daughter Mackenzie Tarbox, also an anti-tobacco activist, says she is grateful this story campaign carries on her mother’s work and legacy. She says the pain and suffering her mother experienced is something that she hopes no one else will experience.
“You can save yourself a lot of heartache in the future by never starting to smoke. My mom said it a million times: cigarettes just aren’t worth it,” says Tarbox. “You have to ask: what are you willing to lose by starting, and what are you willing to gain by quitting? You’re never too young, or too old, to quit. The help is there. You just need to take that first step.”
Tobacco use is the leading cause of disease, disability and premature death in Alberta. More than 3,000 Albertans die every year as a result of tobacco use, and many more suffer from tobacco-related illnesses.
AHS, as well as most primary care networks and family care clinics, offer a variety of programs and services to help Albertans quit tobacco, from group cessation programs to one-on-one counselling. Online supports and resources are also available from www.albertaquits.ca, free of charge, to Albertans.
To learn more about the supports available to help Albertans double their chances of quitting, visit the Alberta Quits website or call 1-866-710-7848 (QUIT).
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.8 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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