You Healthiest Year Ever, Day 18: Butt Out

Bonjour mes amies! Comment ca-va?

I’m doing well, sipping and enjoying all of the antioxidant benefits of my green tea. I had a fantastic BodyPump class at the gym today and although it’s cold out, I also enjoyed walking in the sunshine with my co-worker.

Up here in the Great White North (aka Canada), it’s National Non-Smoking Week!

National Non-Smoking Week (NNSW) has been observed here for more than 30 years. It is one of the longest running and most important events in Canada’s ongoing public health education efforts. Established in 1977 by the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control (CCTC), its goals are:

• to educate Canadians about the dangers of smoking;
• to prevent people who do not smoke from beginning to smoke and becoming addicted to tobacco;
• to help people quit smoking;
• to promote the right of individuals to breathe air unpolluted by tobacco smoke;
• to denormalize the tobacco industry, tobacco industry marketing practices, tobacco products, and tobacco use; and
• to assist in the attainment of a smoke-free society in Canada.

Source: nnsw.ca

On the Wednesday of NNSW, we celebrate (practice?) Weedless Wednesday. As Wednesday marks the half-way point of NNSW, it is the day that we ask all Canadians who smoke to BUTT OUT just for one day. So today, in honour of Weedless Wednesday, I’m asking (actually BEGGING) all of you who smoke to butt out. To give it a try JUST FOR TODAY!

You may not know this, but 17 years ago I quit smoking. I was 19 years old, and had been smoking casually for 3 years. January 1995 I smoked one of my last cigarettes. Actually I smoked an ENTIRE pack of cigarettes in one sitting that day. It was stale pack of Player’s. I forced myself to smoke every.single.one and I butted them out into a glass jar with a bit of water in it. Then, later that day, and for the rest of that week, whenever I craved a smoke, I opened the lid to that jar and took in a BIG WHIFF!
It was nasty.
It made my stomach churn.
I hated it.

 

IT WORKED!

 
I smoked only 1 more cigarette a few months later because I *thought* I needed one. Oh my goodness did that ever make me sick to my stomach. That was the last cigarette that I ever smoked. If I can do it, then so can YOU!
Want more motivation and support? Here are some Twitter accounts and Facebook pages to help you on your journey to a smoke-free life!

Twitter:

Smokers’ Helpline

http://twitter.com/#!/SmokersHelpline

@SmokersHelpline Ontario
We have proven tips & tools to help u quit successfully. Connect for free, personalized & non-judgmental support/advice/info.

FACET

http://twitter.com/#!/FACETobacco

@FACETobacco
A program of research committed to finding original ways to support young families in their efforts to become smoke free.

QuitNow

http://twitter.com/#!/quitnowbc

@quitnowbc British Columbia
QuitNow is here to help you quit smoking. Join us in supporting a healthier British Columbia.

The EX Team

http://twitter.com/#!/TheEXTeam

@TheEXTeam
A free quit smoking plan that can help you relearn life w/o cigarettes. Based on research from experts @ Mayo Clinic & practical experience from EX smokers.

SmokefreeWomen @NCI

http://twitter.com/#!/SmokefreeWomen

@SmokefreeWomen Everywhere
SFW is your ultimate guide to staying clear of tobacco & boosting YOUR quit attempt! Brought TO real women BY real women.

Quit For Life

http://twitter.com/#!/Quit_For_Life

@Quit_For_Life
Quitting tobacco? Already quit? Get helpful quit tips, preparation advice, and meet others like you.

Stop Tabac

http://twitter.com/#!/stoptabac

@stoptabac Genève, Suisse
Stop-tabac.ch offre une aide sur mesure et gratuite à ceux qui veulent en finir avec le tabac. Le partage et le dialogue avec d’autres fumeurs sont encouragés.

Facebook:

Smokers’ Helpline

http://www.facebook.com/smokershelpline

Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline is a free, confidential service. We offer free and personalized support, advice and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use.

Smokefree Women

http://www.facebook.com/smokefree.women

Join our support community to become & stay smokefree. Women can share stories, offer/receive tips & encouragement & get the latest news on the benefits of living a tobacco-free life!

www.stop-tabac.ch
Venez visiter le site http://www.stop-tabac.ch. Aides, information, soutien

Have a great day!For a list of all of the Challenges, see the 31 Days to a Healthier You page.

PS – you can join the 31 Days to a Healthier You challenge anytime by leaving a comment below indicating your interest & ticking the “Notify me of new posts by email” box so that you’ll be emailed the daily challenge.