The federal government is launching an aggressive campaign to help Canadians stop smoking.
The big incentive is a trip to Costa Rica for those who sign up.
The announcement came Sunday in a statement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who called the health of Canadians a top priority.
“Each year, smoking takes a deadly toll on Canadians, with thousands succumbing to heart disease, lung cancer and many other illnesses that it causes. In addition to the physical damage caused by smoke and second-hand smoke, smoking also puts emotional and financial stress on families who are dealing with resulting health problems, and places a substantial financial burden on our communities and healthcare system,” Harper says.
The announcement was made during national non-smoking week, which runs until next Saturday.
The government is putting a particular emphasis on getting young people, between the ages of 20 to 24, to kick the habit.
“The "Break It Off" tobacco cessation campaign will use social media to target young Canadians who have a higher rate of smoking than the national average,” Harper says.
Holly Lucas is among the 16 percent of Canadians that Health Canada says light up.
“I've been smoking since I was 13,” she told CTV London.
“I'm actually in the process of trying to quit right now.”
Jim Hubbert, quit smoking once, but started again.
”I quit cold turkey for a year. And got out playing cards one night and drinking beer and the guy next to me said, ‘Here do you want a smoke?’ Not thinking, I said, 'Yeah, sure.' That was 35 to 40 years ago.”
The government will also provide apps and counselling by phone for people such as Lucas, who want to quit.
