An estimated 70% of people who smoke say they want to quit. The Canadian Cancer Society, BC & Yukon, is urging the BC government to support smokers trying to quit.

Like Quebec and Saskatchewan, we’d like to see the BC government fund smoking cessation products like nicotine replacement therapies and medications.

It’s well known that nicotine replacement therapies, such as the nicotine patch and nicotine gum, combined with physician counseling have a proven record of treating tobacco addiction. Similar improvements in quitting success result from medications that mimic the effects of nicotine on the brain.

BC’s smoking rates are at 15%, one of the lowest in the country – and for that we should be proud — but cigarette smoking causes about 30% of cancer deaths in Canada and about 85% of lung cancer cases so even a low rate of smoking like we have in BC is still too high.

Addicted smokers should be supported when they make a decision to try to quit. It only makes sense to support people as they move to improve their health and prevent cancer.

The Canadian Cancer Society commends the BC government for continuing to fund QuitNow and QuitNow by Phone, free smoking cessation programs that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all British Columbians.

But, more work needs to be done if we want to see smoking rates decline further.

This is the time of year for resolutions. Let’s get the usual suspects out of the way first. I think we can all agree that eating better, exercising more and quitting smoking are all great ways to get healthy in 2011. These are the kind of resolutions we should be thinking about, and doing, all year long.

If you’re looking for another challenge that will make you feel good why not try volunteering?  US studies have found that volunteering improves health and might help you live longer.

The Canadian Cancer was founded by a small group of volunteers who wanted to fight back against cancer. Now, more than 70 years later, thousands of people with the same spirit volunteer with the Society. In fact, without the help of our fantastic volunteers there really is no Canadian Cancer Society. Volunteers make us who we are.

You might be surprised at all the volunteer opportunities we can offer. If you’re ready to join the fight – whether it’s for an hour a week or a week a year, you can make a real difference.

Bring your enthusiasm and your determination and don’t worry about your age, your experience or your availability. There is something for everyone.

Check out the videos at www.fightwithus.ca to learn more about the many volunteer roles available. And visit www.cancervolunteer.ca  to sign up.

Make 2011 the year you joined the fight. And if you’re already a Canadian Cancer volunteer – thank you.