By Taylor Chartrand

National non-smoking week in Medicine Hat

Jan 23, 2019 | 4:32 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – Each year in Canada, the third week in January is known as ‘National non-smoking week’ and because of that, Alberta Health Services (AHS) set up shop over at the Medicine Hat College (MHC) this afternoon. 

The purpose of the session was to inform students on the harmful effects of smoking and ways they could attempt to kick the habit.

One college-student who has been smoking for nearly 13 years and stopped by the AHS booth today was Brandon Connelly-Jarvis.

“I’ve been trying to quit for the last two years now on and off,” explained Connelly-Jarvis. “I’ve been smoking since I was 13 and that’s why I want to quit.”

Young minds, big ideas: Elementary students learn about urban planning with 'Box City'

17h ago

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Jarvis says he’s tried everything from quitting cold-turkey to nicotine patches.

“I also tried vaping for a little while. It didn’t do it for me and I’ve also thought about the health-risks of that. It could be potentially worst than smoking itself. I know vaping can help people ween off smoking, but it’s definitely not for me.”

According to AHS Tobacco Reduction Councilor Michelle Sauve, Jarvis would be right.

“We want the public to be aware that vaping is not harmless water vapor,” explained Sauve. “It’s definitely not a safe product to use. If you’ve never smoked cigarettes, this is not a product to be using.”

Sauve says there’s a misconception when it comes to vaping.

“People have this idea that it’s safer and healthier to vape and we’re finding out over time there are very concerning chemicals in electronic cigarettes. There’s one chemical that’s called diacetyl and others that are similar in cigarettes like formaldehyde, acetone and we want the public to be aware that vaping is not harmless.”

Now, Jarvis is looking at other options available to him like QuitCore.

QuitCore is a six-week smoking cessation program for anyone over the age of 18. 

“Maybe it’s the piece that I need is that support, that group support. I’ll definitely be checking it out to see if it can offer me something.”

Sauve says QuitCore could be the bridge to Jarvis’ success.

“We talk about peoples reasons for quitting and then we want people to have some tools in their toolbox to help them manage their stress better. We also talk about healthy eating, active lifestyles and how to cut tobacco use with maybe say, physical activity. We want to give people things they can do to overcome those urges and replace that unhealthy behavior with something better.”

QuitCore has a class scheduled in Redcliff on February 25th from 6:00-7:30 p.m at the Public Library and they will also host another session at the MHC beginning on March 5th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.