The First Nations Health Authority is partnering with the BC Lung Association’s Health Promoter Team to hit the road this summer and attend community events in the Fraser-Salish region to talk with children and families about secondhand smoke and the gifts of smoke-free living through a fun and interactive campaign called Inside | Out. The campaign is all about opening up a dialogue about secondhand smoke, understanding the differences between traditional and commercial tobacco, and how we can all work together to protect each other and children from secondhand smoke.
Events coming up include the National Aboriginal Day Celebration in Chilliwack, the Stó:lō Children’s Festival, Fraser Valley Métis Association, Hopeful Mission Friendship National Aboriginal Day Celebration, and many more across the Fraser-Salish region.
Please come and visit the Inside | Out booth, and check out the games, information and temporary tattoos!
Full listing of events:
| National Aboriginal Day Celebration | Chilliwack Central Community School | June 16 2:45pm to 5:30pm |
| Mamele’awt Aboriginal Community Centre National Aboriginal Day | 3277 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford | June 18 4pm to 8pm |
| Tzeachten, Soowahlie & Sto’:Lo FN National Aboriginal Day Event, | Tzeachten sports field, Chilliwack | June 20 9:00am-3:00pm |
| Fraser Valley Métis Association, National Aboriginal Day Celebration | Mill Lake, Abbotsford | June 21 11am to 3pm |
| Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, | Douglas Park, Langley | June 21 12:00 to 3:00pm |
| Mission Friendship Centre Society National Aboriginal Day Celebration | Heritage Park Mission | June 18 3:00pm-7:00pm |
| Mission Friendship Centre Society Wellness Fair | Mission | July 17 11:00am-2:00pm |
| Stó:lō Children’s Festival | Chilliwack | July 22 |
Children’s Literacy Day
| Squiala First Nations Hall, Chilliwack | July 7 10:30am onwards |
Inside | Out
Understanding secondhand smoke: When children are inside, smoking goes out.
What is secondhand smoke?
Secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe with commercial tobacco. Secondhand smoke can be harmful to you and your family’s health.
Why does smoking belong outside?
Everyone benefits from breathing space. When you smoke outside, smoke is further away from others. Even if there is no one around you at the time if you are smoking inside, the smoke stays around the house and can get trapped in fabric, walls and rugs. This is called third handsmoke and is also dangerous.
What should I know about secondhand smoke?
• Secondhand smoke from commercial cigarettes contains over 4,000 chemicals. Many of these toxins cause lung and heart disease. Approximately 70 of these chemicals are linked to cancer.
• Secondhand smoke is especially harmful for children and Elders because they have weaker immune systems.
• Secondhand smoke can give children coughs, ear infections, and breathing problems such as asthma.
• Secondhand smoke increases the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Pregnant women exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to have babies born too early or too small.
• Secondhand smoke has been linked to several types of illness in pets. Dogs and cats lick thirdhand smoke from their fur when they groom themselves.
How can I make my home smoke free?
• Consider hosting a household meeting to discuss how the family can make the home smoke-free together.• Create a smoking space outside away from the door and windows.• Respectfully tell visitors that your home is free of smoke from commercial tobacco and to please smoke cigarettes, cigars and pipes outside.• Communicate to your friends and family how much you value their efforts to keep your home smoke-free.• Offer family members or guests a healthy food or activity alternative to help them stay smoke-free in your home.
What if I am not able to smoke outside?
• You can reduce harm by smoking out of a window in an identified room which children do not use often.
• You can wear a shirt or jacket that is only used as a cover-up while smoking, to keep the secondhand smoke off your regular clothes.
How can I quit smoking?
When you are ready to quit smoking, there is a lot of free support through QuitNow.ca, through First Nations Health Benefits and through the 8-11 telephone line (BC’s free health information line).