World No Tobacco Day

Today is "World No Tobacco Day" and I am happy to be participating in a press conference this morning with Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, drawing attention to an issue that is of great importance to Inuit.

While we are working towards reduced smoking rates there is still an unfortunately high prevalence of smoking among Inuit.

• two-thirds of Canadian Inuit smoke
• the recent Inuit Child Health Survey indicates that more than 80% of Inuit women in Nunavut smoke during pregnancy
• another study indicated that 85% of infants in Iqaluit are exposed to smoke while in the womb

Mary Simon, Colin Carrier, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq

There are many reasons for these statistics, and we are not judging those who smoke. We do hope to help provide the tools that Inuit need to take control of this very serious health issue.

That is why ITK is working with the Inuit regions on a project aimed at creating pride among Inuit families whose children are born smoke free.

The "Born Smoke Free" program is an information campaign aimed at pregnant women and women who may become pregnant that shows that second-hand smoke can affect people at any age - even before they are born.

We are also, in partnership with Inuit regions, expanding a project called the Blue Light Campaign. If you see a blue light bulb on the porch of an Inuit household you know that the family who lives there has committed to smoking outdoors or to quitting altogether. Successfully implemented in several Nunatsiavut and Nunavik communities the Blue Light Campaign is being extended to communities in Nunavut, the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories, and one additional Nunavik community.

Both of the programs will also target Inuit households in Ottawa through Ottawa based Tungasuvvingat Inuit.

Our collective goal is to promote Inuit specific initiatives to reduce the use of tobacco among Inuit.

The "Born Smoke Free" and the "Blue Light" campaigns are both important steps and I am proud to be involved with them.

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