CDHA: NO to Contraband Tobacco Means YES to Oral Health!

Ottawa: The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association celebrates World No Tobacco Day by adopting a strong position against contraband tobacco. This is an illegal activity which affects the safety of the entire community: male, female, young and old, smokers, non-smokers and especially children, who are more sensitive to environmental tobacco smoke. CDHA together with the Canadian Coalition for Action Against Tobacco advocates for increased taxes on cigarettes to deter tobacco use. Furthermore, the federal government must prevent the illegal production and shipping of tobacco.

Tobacco use is a public health priority because it is the second major cause of death!

Smoking affects your oral health and your overall well-being!

 If you are a smoker you are at high risk of: – oral and lung cancer – periodontal diseases – mouth infections of the gums, bones and soft   tissues – loss of natural teeth – bad breath – discoloured teeth and – other illnesses, especially cardiovascular diseases If you are a non-smoker exposed to environmental tobacco smoke you may develop: – lung cancer – heart diseases – respiratory diseases – children are particularly vulnerable to   develop pneumonia and bronchitis 

Visit CDHA’s Oral Care Centre for facts and tips on quitting tobacco use: http://www.cdha.ca/content/oralcare_centre/facts.asp

Visit CDHA’s News Room to read our Position Paper on Tobacco Cessation and the Role of the Dental Hygienist: http://www.cdha.ca/content/newsroom/position_statements.asp

 Contacts: CDHA Judy Lux Health Policy Communications Specialist 613-224-5515 ext. 123 or 1-800-267-5235 jal@cdha.cawww.preventionprofessionals.ca

SOURCE: Canadian Dental Hygienists Association