Archived News Releases

November 13, 2014

Manitobans are encouraged to reduce their risk of lung disease, Health Minister Sharon Blady and Healthy Living and Seniors Minister Deanne Crothers said today as they proclaimed National Lung Month in Manitoba and also marked National Lung Cancer Awareness Month and National Radon Action Month.

“People can take many steps to reduce their exposure to environmental risk factors for lung disease and one of the most important steps is to quit smoking,” said Minister Blady.  “We continue to urge Manitobans to make this decision to help them live longer and healthier lives.”

The chief provincial public health officer reminds Manitobans that they can reduce the risk of lung disease by:

• quitting smoking and eliminating exposure to second-hand smoke,
• testing homes for radon and reducing levels if they are high,
• using appropriate safety precautions when asbestos might be present, and
• reducing air pollution by taking public transportation, car-pooling and avoiding idling cars. 

Manitoba was the first province in the country to introduce an indoor and outdoor smoking ban in 2004.

“Manitoba has been a national leader in reducing tobacco use and introducing innovative programs to support smoking cessation, but there is always more to do,” said Minister Crothers.  “We remain committed to helping people quit and take other steps to better protect their health and the health of others.”

The Manitoba government has implemented a number of other initiatives to reduce smoking including:

• being the first province in the country to make public beaches and playgrounds smoke free in all provincial parks,
• prohibiting smoking in vehicles when children are present,
• banning tobacco sales in pharmacies, in stores containing a pharmacy, in health-care facilities and from vending machines, and
• introducing restrictions on the display, advertising and promotion of tobacco products in stores.

In 2012, the smoking rate for 15 to 19 year olds dropped to 13 per cent from 29 per cent in 1999.

The Lung Association has declared November National Lung Month and is creating awareness about the importance of lung health.

“We are focusing on the prevention of lung diseases that include lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and many others.  Our lungs and our ability to breathe are priceless,” said Margaret Bernhardt-Lowdon, executive director, Manitoba Lung Association. “Unfortunately, one in five Manitobans suffers from lung disease.  We are working with Manitobans to reduce this rate.”

For more information on quitting smoking, Manitobans can call the Smokers’ Help Line at 1‑877‑513‑5333 (toll-free) or visit the website at www.smokershelpline.caor join the ManitobaQuits Facebook community at www.facebook.com/ManitobaQuits.

More information on the health effects of second-hand smoke and ways to prevent exposure is available at:

• Health Canada 
  www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/tobac-tabac/legislation/label-etiquette/second-eng.php or
• the Center for Disease Control
  www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/.

For Radon Action Month, the ministers advise that radon levels can be elevated in Manitoba homes.  Radon is a gas found naturally in the soil and it can enter homes.  Exposure to high levels of radon over long periods of time can increase the risk of developing lung cancer, especially when combined with smoking.  Information on testing and remediating a home for radon is available at:

• the Province of Manitoba
  www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/radon.html,
• Health Canada
  www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/radiation/radon/index-eng.php or
• the Manitoba Lung Association
  www.lung.ca/lung-health/air-quality/indoor-air-quality/radon.

Asbestos exposure can also cause lung disease if fibres are inhaled.  Properly enclosed asbestos is not a concern.  Asbestos may be found in many buildings built before 1990.  More information on reducing exposure to asbestos is available at:

• the Province of Manitoba
  www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/vermiculite.html,
• Health Canada
  www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/healthy-living-vie-saine/environment-environnement/outdoor-air-exterieur/asbestos-amiante-eng.php or
• the Lung Association
  www.yourhealthyhome.ca.                                                                            

Air pollution increases the risk of lung disease and the World Health Organization has designated air pollution as a risk for lung cancer.  However, the air quality in Manitoba is considered generally good.  The air quality health index measures air pollution in Winnipeg and Brandon.  More information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/envprograms/airquality/aq-health/.

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