On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day , which is celebrated every May 31, the Tobacco Control Unit (UCT) of the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) has carried out several awareness-raising actions at the Duran i Reynals Hospital to promote a tobacco-free life among patients, professionals and visitors.
As usual, the unit’s team has set up different information tables in the hospital, where informative materials and personalized advice have been offered. People who have approached have received a brochure with practical recommendations to help someone quit smoking, as well as information to contact the specialized consultation of the Tobacco Control Unit.
In addition, the information tables have been a meeting point for smokers interested in learning more about the impact of tobacco on their health. In this sense, tests have been carried out to measure carbon monoxide levels in the lungs and lung capacity , providing personalized information and useful resources to begin a smoking cessation process.
A “Burillaton” puts the spotlight on breaches in hospital environments
As a novelty this year, the Unit has launched the “Burillaton”, a participatory initiative aimed at collecting cigarette butts throughout the hospital. This action has aimed to raise awareness about the breaches of the regulations that prohibit smoking in hospital environments. In just 40 minutes, approximately 7,000 butts have been collected , demonstrating the magnitude of the problem.
European World No Tobacco Day event in Madrid
Several members of the unit also participated in the European event for World No Tobacco Day held at the European Parliament Office in Madrid. The event, promoted by the World Health Organization and organized locally by Nofumadores.org and the Association Against Cancer, was attended by the Minister of Health, Mónica García , and numerous European representatives of the tobacco control community.
The head of the unit, Cristina Martínez , participated as a speaker in a round table focused on the needs and opportunities to review and strengthen the Tobacco Products Directive and the Directive on the advertising and promotion of these products.
Dissemination
At the same time, the UCT has strengthened its awareness-raising activity by participating in media interviews , helping to amplify the message about the risks of tobacco and the benefits of quitting smoking:
With these actions, the ICO Tobacco Control Unit reaffirms its commitment to promoting healthy lifestyle habits and supporting people who want to quit smoking.
