Smokers urged to butt out

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/leave_the_pack_behind.jpg” caption=”Leave the Pack Behind logo”]Heather Crowe, a moving anti-smoking speaker, will be the featured keynote speaker on Monday, March 7 at McMaster University, coinciding with a special smoke-free day on campus. After waitressing for 40 years, Crowe, a non-smoker, was awarded workers' compensation following her diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer relating to exposure to second-hand smoke at her workplace.
During McMaster's smoke-free day, smokers will be asked to refrain from smoking or to smoke off-campus between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Coupons for nicorette will be given out to those smokers who need help with going smoke-free for the 12 hours.
The event is being organized by Leave the Pack Behind (LTPB) and the Campus Health & Wellness Centre. Representatives from local organizations, including Hamilton Public Health, the Canadian Cancer Society, Health Canada and Smoke-Free Physicians, will be presenting displays in the McMaster University Student Centre alongside displays from the campus Health and Wellness Centre and LTPB.
There will be a free pancake breakfast and hot chocolate beginning at 9 a.m., followed by complementary apple cider at 12 noon. Throughout the day there will be musical performances, games and activities. Speeches from McMaster University President, Peter George, Heather Crowe and McMaster Students Union president, Shano Mohan will take place in the Student Centre beginning at 12:25 p.m.
“The support we have received from staff and students has been incredible,” says Kelly Arbour, LTPB Campus co-ordinator. “We have received support from more than 60 departments and faculties, and more than 300 staff are wearing pins in support of the event.”
Students are also key supporters of smoke-free day. The LTPB staff conducted a poll of 500 McMaster students in November and found that more than 80 per cent supported a smoke-free day on campus, including more than 55 per cent of students who identified themselves as smokers.
Smoke-free day is intended to raise awareness of the health issues surrounding environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Furthermore, it is a day where people are encouraged to promote the awareness of ETS to others.
“McMaster University is working towards a smoke-free environment,” says Arbour. “The goal of this day is to start putting these words' into action; let's actually work together as a team to make our campus a smoke-free environment.”