Live Smoke Free

HOW DOES Commercial TOBACCO AFFECT MY RISK OF CANCER AND CHRONIC DISEASE?

Commercial tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals. At least 172 of these are toxic and 69 are known to cause cancer.² Tobacco is the only consumer product that will kill at least 1 in 2 regular users when used as it’s intended to be used.³

Non-smokers can get cancer from breathing in other people’s smoke. And people who chew tobacco increase their risk of getting cancer of the mouth (oral cancer), esophagus and pancreas,^4,5 and chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes.

Together, we could prevent about 2,780 cases of cancer in Alberta each year – if we support each other to be commercial tobacco free.⁶

The toxic chemicals in commercial tobacco products can cause cancer, but the nicotine is what makes it addictive. It only takes seven seconds for nicotine to reach the brain. The nicotine causes euphoria, but soon larger doses are needed to produce the same effect. Commercial tobacco users feel very strong symptoms when their nicotine levels drop.

Most people in Alberta who use commercial tobacco want to quit.⁷ And there are many new support systems that make it easier than ever before.

Quitting is an important step toward preventing cancer and chronic diseases. It is the single best thing you can do to improve your health and protect the health of your friends and family. From the moment you quit, your health will begin to improve. The benefits just keep adding up, and even extend beyond cancer prevention.

• Within 24 hours, your risk of heart attack decreases.
• In 9 months, your lung function improves with less coughing and shortness of breath.
• In 10 years, your risk of dying from lung cancer reduces by half.

If you smoke, quitting is the most important thing you can do to prevent cancer.

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 39% of new bladder cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Be Active

Eat Healthy

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 5% of new breast cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Alcohol and Your Health

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Be Active

Eat Healthy

Get Screened

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 26% of new cervical cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Get Screened

Get Immunized

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 10% of new colorectal cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Be Active

Get Screened

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 17% of new kidney cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Be Active

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 24% of new liver cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Alcohol and Your Health

Be Active

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Eat Healthy

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 71% of new lung cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Be Active

Eat Healthy

Other Risks

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 42% of new esophageal cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Be Active

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Alcohol and Your Health

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 41% of new oral cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Get Immunized

Alcohol and Your Health

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 3% of new ovarian cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Be Active

Eat Healthy

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 16% of new pancreatic cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Alcohol and Your Health

Eat Healthy

Smoking tobacco is linked to about 20% of new stomach cancer cases in Alberta.⁶

Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk:

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Alcohol and Your Health

Be Active

Health Condition Specific Information

Choose from one of the health conditions below to see how lifestyle choices can impact your risk of developing that health condition.

--- Select A Health Condition --- Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer Cervical Cancer Colorectal Cancer Kidney Cancer Liver Cancer Lung Cancer Esophageal Cancer Oral Cancer Ovarian Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Stomach Cancer

HELP FOR QUITTING Commercial TOBACCO

If you want help getting ready to quit, we can help. AlbertaQuits Healthier Together provides information on stages of change, knowing your triggers, understanding quitting medications and building a quit plan. Click here to get started!

If you are ready to quit now, the AlbertaQuits HelpLine can help! It’s free to use and research shows that getting help from a health professional makes you twice as likely to be successful at quitting. Cessation counsellors will help you deal with cravings and help you stay motivated. The HelpLine is open from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week. Call toll free 1-866-710-QUIT (7848). Translation services are also available.

Get support

One important part of quitting smoking is getting help from those around you. For more information visit MyHealth Getting Support.

Calculate your savings

Quitting tobacco use really does lead to a richer life. Use this quit calculator tool to see how much you’ll be saving once you’re commercial tobacco free.

Deal with relapse

If you slip or smoke a little, don’t give up. Talk to someone. Don’t feel bad about yourself. A relapse is just a sign that you need to try a different approach. Visit MyHealth Dealing With Relapse.