It's national non-smoking week

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on National Non-Smoking Week, from January 15-21:

"Every year smoking adversely impacts the health of millions of Canadians - including those affected by second-hand smoke - heightening their risk of cancer, heart disease, emphysema and a number of other conditions. It also costs our healthcare system - and therefore taxpayers - a substantial amount of money.

However, through initiatives such as National Non-Smoking Week, stronger labelling and distribution regulations, a Canada-wide toll-free quitline number and information website, and efforts to combat contraband tobacco, our Government is helping to reduce the smoking rate across the country - especially among youth.

Despite this positive trend, we recognize that the number of people smoking in our country is still too high, which is why we are continuing our efforts in 2012 to help bring it down further.

I encourage all Canadians who smoke to make a resolution to quit the habit both for themselves and for their loved ones."