AHS celebrates National Non-Smoking Week

EDMONTON — This week is National Non-Smoking Week, and Alberta Health Services (AHS) is partnering with communities throughout Edmonton Zone to raise awareness of the spectrum of tobacco cessation services available through AlbertaQuits

Reducing and stopping tobacco use has multiple health benefits for all Albertans. People who quit substantially reduce their risk of heart disease, lung cancer, chronic lung disease and other tobacco related illnesses. AHS works with communities and partnering organizations to improve the health of Albertans by reducing tobacco use throughout the province by offering various programs and services through AlbertaQuits. Services include telephone counselling, free web-based cessation services, texting services, and group programing (QuitCore). All services are free and confidential.

This year we are pleased to celebrate a recent collaboration with local pharmacies to train pharmacists to become tobacco reduction counsellors. AHS health promotions staff will be visiting various partner pharmacies in Edmonton this week, including the locations listed below.

Local residents are invited to attend these displays, and learn more about the many ways that together, Albertans can prevent and reduce tobacco use.

• Monday, January 22 – 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (15969 97 Street)
• Wednesday, January 24 – 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (1 Kingsway Garden Mall, Unit #192)
• Thursday, January 25 – 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (7469 101 Avenue)
• Friday, January 26 – 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (3812 118 Avenue)

Media are invited to attend the display on Monday, January 22 at 11 a.m. (at the Shoppers Drug Mart located at 15969 97 Street) to learn more about how AHS is working to support Albertans who want to quit smoking.

An annual event across Canada for more than 30 years, National Non-Smoking Week aims to raise awareness about the health risks of tobacco, in all its forms, as it provides education on the resources and support services available for those who wish to reduce or quit tobacco use.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four 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.