Smokers’ Helpline Services Launched for Yukon
For Release #
October 8, 2009
WHITEHORSE – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, federal Minister of Health, along
with Yukon’s Health and Social Services Minister the Honourable Glenn Hart, today
announced the launch of a toll-free quitline service that will help Yukoners quit smoking.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support a territorial Smokers’ Helpline in
Yukon," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Providing help to people trying to kick the tobacco
addiction is important for both the federal and territorial governments and quitlines in
other regions of Canada have already proven themselves to be very effective tools."
The Smokers’ Helpline provides free, confidential, telephone-based smoking
cessation services to smokers who are interested in quitting. Individuals who call the
Smokers’ Helpline receive important information, advice, and motivational counselling
from a quit specialist. In addition, specialists will help connect smokers with available
local cessation services and provide support materials that will assist them in quitting.
“We are committed to helping Yukoners live smoke-free, and are pleased to be
working in partnership with Health Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society,” Minister
Hart said. “The Smokers’ Helpline is one more tool to help Yukon smokers quit. I
encourage all Yukoners who smoke to call the Helpline. It could be the step that gets you
on the path to becoming smoke-free.”
“The Canadian Cancer Society is delighted that this service will be available to
Yukoners as research shows that quitlines can dramatically increase a smoker's chance of
quitting smoking,” said Barbara Kaminsky, President of the BC/Yukon Division of the
Canadian Cancer Society. “Smoking causes about 30 per cent of all cancer deaths in
Canada. The Smokers’ Helpline is a great tool that can help Yukoners kick the habit,
lead healthier lives and fight cancer.”
Smoking remains the most preventable cause of disease and premature death in
Canada. More than 37,000 people die prematurely each year in Canada due to tobacco
use and in 2002 more than 830 non-smokers died in Canada from second-hand smoke.
Given these statistics, Health Canada is pleased to contribute $100,000 to help establish
the Smokers’ Helpline in the Yukon.
Smokers, or family members who are concerned for the health of their loved ones
or themselves, can call toll-free to speak to a smoking cessation counsellor at 1-877-513-
5333.
For more information on Health Canada's tobacco control efforts, please visit
www.gosmokefree.gc.ca.
For more information on the Smokers’ Helpline, visit www.smokershelpline.ca.