Tobacco Reduction

Quebec proposes a ban on flavoured vapes; but where is Health Canada?
Youth vaping is a serious problem that needs urgent action. We’ve been seeing a steady increase in vaping among youth year over year, in BC 42% say they’ve tried vaping and 27% say they’ve vaped in the last month. This is worrisome as there are toxic chemicals in the aerosol, which can lead to short-term…
Support Warnings on Individual Cigarettes, Provide Your Feedback Now
You may have heard: Health Canada has proposed that health warnings be printed on individual cigarettes. This means every time one is taken out of a pack, users will see a warning on their cigarette. Health Canada has said the reason is to ensure that people who share or borrow cigarettes can still see the…
Don’t Let Them Down: Understanding Youth Vaping and What We Can Do About It
On April 23, 2020, the BC Alliance for Healthy Living hosted an engaging webinar on youth vaping. This webinar featured three leaders from organizations doing important work on understanding youth vaping and what we can do about it. In a study that made headlines across Canada last year, public Health researcher, Dr. David Hammond found…
#UBCM2019
Last week was the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention and Tradeshow and BC Alliance for Healthy Living was thrilled to be part of it. With 2500 government officials, decision-makers and leaders ‘exploring the floor,’ it was a prime opportunity to talk healthy living initiatives with those who represent their communities. We were part…
#NNSW2019
It’s National Non-Smoking Week and as Canadians we have a lot to celebrate. In the past 50 years smoking rates have gone down significantly.
Get the Smoke Out of Kids Movies
“Really?! In this day and age?!” That was my friend’s reaction when I told her about the issue of smoking in kids movies. She was especially shocked by the revelation that 90% of smoking imagery seen by BC audiences is in movies with youth ratings. In fact, most of the Moms (and a Dad) that…
E-Cigarettes
BCAHL has made youth vaping one of three top priorities because of the health risks that vaping poses to a whole generation of young people. The Alliance is deeply concerned about youth and non-smokers who are trying and using electronic nicotine delivery systems, not only because of evidence that shows increases in the likelihood that…
BCAHL Celebrates Targeted Tobacco Taxes to Reduce Use
Smokers in BC took a hit to the pocket book as the BC Government announced the new provincial budget. Along with our colleagues at the Canadian Cancer Society, BCAHL agrees 100% with raising the price of tobacco products in order to deter BC youth from smoking or starting to smoke. When coupled with other tobacco…
Tobacco with a Cherry on Top? No, Thanks!
Next week (January 19-25, 2014) is National Non-Smoking Week in Canada, and BCAHL is lining up with others who want to stop new smokers from starting and support smokers who may be read to quit. This year’s theme “Truth in Advertising” highlights the sad fact that our youth are being tricked into starting smoking through…
Beyond the Tobacco War – What’s Next in Prevention & Protection?
BCAHL’s first webinar for 2013 focused on a common ‘healthy living’ topic at the start of a new year – that is stopping smoking. We were so pleased to have such knowledgeable presenters who were able to deliver an engaging session to an audience that spanned the province of BC as well as a few…
Shining a spotlight on Film Tax Credits, Big Tobacco & Marketing to Youth
Given that it is National Non-Smoking Week, and with the current spotlight on film tax credits in BC, it’s a good time to talk about tobacco marketing in movies. Blocked from other advertising channels, Big Tobacco has turned to movies to sell youth on a glamourized, rebellious image of smoking. The US Surgeon General in…
Can you breathe easy in your castle?
I used to work in a beautiful heritage building in Vancouver called The Standard Building. To me, it was anything but standard with glossy marble floors, polished brass fixtures and a gorgeous lobby that made you feel you’d arrived someplace special. It was a great place to work except for one thing… our office neighbour…

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