Vancouver – Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament for Fleetwood - Port Kells, today announced on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, just over $245,000 in funding to the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health for a project that will help encourage tobacco cessation among pregnant women.

“The money we are announcing today will be used to better equip health professionals who are working with pregnant and post-partum girls and women in an effort to help them to quit smoking,” said MP Nina Grewal. “This funding demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to working with stakeholders on evidence-based cessation and smoking prevention activities. Supporting this initiative helps ensure that Canada remains a world leader in all aspects of tobacco control.”

 “The Government of Canada remains committed to protecting all Canadians from the proven health hazards associated with tobacco use,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “Today’s funding will give health professionals the tools to help pregnant women stop smoking.”

Funding from today’s announcement will go towards a project entitled “Knowledge translation on Smoking Reduction and Cessation Interventions for Pregnant and Postpartum Girls and Women.” The goal of this project is to provide evidence of effective approaches and develop practical tools for health professionals to help pregnant women and new mothers to quit smoking.

This year, National Non-Smoking Week is taking place from January 17-23. It is a week devoted to preventing people from beginning to smoke and helping smokers quit. The theme this year “Quitting is contagious; pass it on!” recognizes that it is easier to quit smoking with the support of others.

Tobacco use is the single biggest cause of preventable disease, disability and premature death in Canada. It has negative effects on nearly every organ of the body. Every year, at least 37,000 Canadians die from the effects of smoking, while many others are diagnosed with related illnesses such as heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.