SURREY – If quitting smoking is on the top of your New Year ’ s resolution list , you ’ re not alone . Sixty-three per cent of daily smokers in Canada – 1.7 million people – say they are considering quitting in the next six months , according to the latest Canadian Tobacco , Alcohol and Drugs Survey . With a detailed plan , your resolution to quit smoking can become a reality .

“ One of the best ways you can set yourself up for success when quitting

smoking is to carefully plan how you will achieve your goal ,” says medical health officer Dr . Helena Swinkels . “ Take the time to envision your path to quitting smoking one step – and one day – at a time .”

If you or someone you care about is considering quitting smoking , here are a few tips to assist you in going smoke-free :

1 ) Be ready to make a change : Take the time to imagine yourself as a nonsmoker . How will your life

change ? What will you do with the money you save and the energy you gain ?

2 ) Be realistic : Quitting smoking is a goal best achieved by breaking it down into manageable steps . Set milestones to measure your progress and don ’ t expect to go smoke-free overnight .

3 ) Have a plan : Sit down and make a plan to quit . Set a date for quitting and stick with it . To make a successful plan , you need to think about why you smoke in the first place and what you

can do alternatively to meet this need .

4 ) Get support from friends and family : Share your intentions to quit smoking with family , friends and your health care provider . While this may seem scary , you will create a strong network of people who want to see you succeed .

5 ) Get support from professionals and tools : Nicotine patches , gum , inhalers and lozenges are available free through the BC Smoking Cessation Program .

Speak with your health care provider or visit your pharmacy for more information . There are also several apps and websites such as QuitNow that can assist you in reaching your goal ( see attached infographic ).

6 ) Be kind to yourself : Quitting smoking is a journey . Take the opportunity to reflect on your progress and celebrate the small successes along the way . ( media @ fraserhealth . ca )

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Rescued Philippine eagle ( Pithecophaga jefferyi ), the country ’ s national bird and considered as critically endangered species , has been named “ Sarangani Pride ” by Senator Manny Pacquiao .

Mayor Alexander Bryan Reganit consulted Senator Pacquiao when the Philippine Eagle Center ( PEC ) based in Davao City called up Wednesday asking for the raptor ’ s name .

The eagle was found by a lumad farmer Gibson Badal , 26 , in his area at around 9:00 a . m . on Monday .

Badal claimed the bird , around one meter tall , appeared weak and did not move away when he went nearer to capture it .

The bird will be tagged by the Philippine Eagle Center before it will be released back to the wild for future identification .

Somebody suggested a name “ Pacman ” but Senator Pacquiao said “ No . The eagle should be named Sarangani

Pride .”

The first ever senator from Soccsksargen area was glad to hear Philippine Eagle was rescued in Sarangani .

“ This means that the environment in Sarangani , particularly in Maitum- Kiamba area , is still teeming with wildlife .

The Environmental Conservation and Protection Center ( ECPC ) of the provincial government has reported , aside from Philippine Eagle , sightings of tarsier , wild deer , pigs , monkeys , bats , civets and endangered species of birds at the foot of Mt . Busa .

Mt . Busa , covering an area of around 114,144 hectares , was declared as a key biodiversity area ( KBA 116 ) and an important bird area ( IBA PH0105 ) in 2001 .

It harbors critically endangered , threatened , vulnerable and rare bird species and connects several conservation priorities .

Barangay Batian , where Sarangani Pride was rescued , is within Mt . Busa complex . It is one of the remaining

forest covers in the province .

Mayor Reganit said “ I am thankful with the rescue of the

juvenile Philippine Eagle . This only proves that Maitum has still thick forest that we ought to preserve and protect .”

R e g a n i t vowed to protect the environment in his town for future generations .

“ I will do my best to protect and preserve the environment in my town to serve as haven and breeding ground for endangered species and other wildlife . We owe this to our future generations ,” Reganit said .

It was Alver Caasi , a resident of Maitum , who reported the capture of Philippine eagle to the local authorities .

Caasi was visiting Batian when residents bared that they found a huge bird and that they were looking for

a buyer .

“ I told them they will face the full force of the law if they do that ,” Caasi said .

Caasi revealed that he personally came in contact with the bird around 9:00 a . m . on January 3 . He fed it with live chicken which the eagle consumed half of it and the other half the day after .

The rescued raptor was brought to the Philippine Eagle conservation center in Malagos , Calinan , Davao City on Tuesday night by

representatives from Maitum and Sarangani province , the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ( DENR ) and Dr . Jayson Ibanez , Director for Conservation of the Philippine Eagle Foundation ( PEF ).

It was reported that after examination , X-Ray results showed that the eagle sustained injury in the left groin area apparently caused by a pellet gun . It was also reported as severely dehydrated .