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
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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
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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
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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 .
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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 )
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 .
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