LOCAL puffers are encouraged to take part in the global movement to raise awareness about World No Tobacco Day (31 May) by pledging to be tobacco-free.
This comes after an increase in tobacco-related deaths which sees more than 44 000 South Africans and six million people worldwide losing their lives annually.
The Helen Ludwig Cansa house in Empangeni is accepting pledges from those wishing to put an end to their addiction.
By pledging a donation, you are also helping CANSA educate and reduce the cancer risk. A R300 donation will enable Cansa to produce 600 educational pamphlets about the dangers of tobacco, making the public aware of screening available, cancer symptoms and how to reduce cancer risk.
Kicking butt
The introduction of CANSA’S eKick Butt Programme, a unique online smoking cessation programme, will also see more smokers putting out the flame.
The programme supplies a series of handy, tried and tested tools, helps smokers to combat this addiction and helps them quit for good. Since launching four years ago, the programme has supported nearly 4 000 people who wanted to quit smoking.
‘Tobacco contains nicotine, a powerful and highly addictive substance, and most tobacco products deliver nicotine to the brain very effectively, bringing on the rapid onset and maintenance of addiction,’ said CANSA’s Acting CEO Elize Joubert.
‘This addiction leads to the unfortunate situation where an otherwise motivated, knowledgeable person, who understands the risks of tobacco, continues to use it.’
eKick Butt guides, mentors and empowers to help quit smoking, and make choices for a healthy and non-smoking lifestyle.
Share your message about World No Tobacco Day by writing a message on the CANSA website wall or sharing a photo of yourself with your pledge/message on CANSA’s social media platforms using the hashtag #KickButtWorldNoTobaccoDay.
Facebook: CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa
Twitter: @CANSA
Instagram: @CancerAssociationOfSouthAfrica.
