Cigarette smoking a killer in Nunavik

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Smoking is the second leading cause of death among Inuit in Nunavik and first among those over 50. Dr. Stephen Hodgins, Director of Public Health Services of Conseil Regional Kativik de la Sante et des Services Sociaux, told Makivik News that one-quarter of the 149 deaths in Nunavik over the past five years (as of mid-October) can be attributed to smoking.

It is estimated that 75 per cent of Nunavik's adult population (over 15 years of age) smokes, compared to the latest statistics which reveal that just 29 per cent of Canadian adults are still puffing. The regional life expectancy is 60 years but that would increase to 65 years if people quit smoking. Dr. Hodgins explained that sometimes, when an older person dies, there is a tendency to think that they have died of ordinary circumstances, when they might actually have lived much longer if it had not been for their smoking lifestyle.

Side-stream smoke dangerous

Chronic bronchitis and lung cancer are almost exclusively a result of cigarette smoke, as well as at least half of heart-related illnesses. Second-hand smoke is also making people sick. More than 200 poisonous substances have been deterred in tobacco smoke and "side-stream smoke" contains chemicals which are worse than the chemicals that the smoker inhales though the filter.

Nunavik's infant mortality rate is four times that of the South. Many serious illnesses in Inuit children are breathing related. Half of Sudden Infant Deaths could be prevented by not smoking in the presence of the babies. One quarter of children in Nunavik have signs of hearing loss in one ear by the age of five, along with repeated ear infections. After the late 1950s, parallel to a big increase in smoking, there have been a phenomenal number of ear problems. Hearing impairment contributes to learning difficulties in school and thus to social problems. Smoking mothers more often give birth prematurely and have lighter babies that require intensive care.

Awareness is spreading

Customers in some Nunavik communities are paying as much as $10 per package for cigarettes, but it is costing them more than money. Diane Marleau, Minister of Health, will go ahead with former Health and Welfare Minister Benoit Bouchard's intention to "obtain stronger regulations requiring tobacco companies to put new and more visible warnings on cigarette packages." It will be hard for smokers to miss the eight new warnings which will be boldly printed in black and white and must take up at least 25 per cent of the front and back of the package. The label will not be printed in Inuktitut, but will be seen in Canada's two official languages, French and English.

A pamphlet that is published by Scriptographic Communications Limited can be gotten from Nunalituqait Ikajugqatigitut. How to Stop Smoking Illustrates that anybody with a desire to do so can quit. Their suggested plan of action begins with making a list of reasons for quitting. The new warning labels should be helpful to anybody that wants to take this approach.

Although Nunavik is far behind the rest of the country when it comes to implementing "no-smoking" policies in public spaces, some organizations and many individuals are taking action against the problem.

No smoking policy spreading

Makivik Corporation's Inukjuak office has implemented a "no-smoking" policy in the building and, although people are allowed to smoke in other Makivik buildings, separate offices may have a rule of their own. It is to be seen if the new Makivik head office in Kuujjuaq will feature a smoke-free workplace for all employees.

Dr. Hodgins explained that "Policing the no-smoking rule (in the workplace) is not a job that people line up to get. We should understand that no smoking rules help those who are wanting to quit. If a person sees that they can go for a number of hours without lighting up, they may be encouraged to stop completely."

Ever since Dec. 1, 1987, Air Inuit has had a no-smoking policy fr all scheduled flights. Air Terminal posters in Inuktitut, French and English tell passengers that "The majority of our customers have made it clear that they prefer a non-smoking environment."

Lizzie Epoo-York, General Manager for the Kativik Board of Health and Social Services, said that a noticeable number of people look for "no smoking" signs when they visit a home, or they ask for permission to light up. Matiasi Tulugak, who manages the Co-op Transit in Povungnituk, feels that there should be a sign in all hotels to warn people of the danger of smoking while drinking alcohol. A lot of people are also asking smokers to go into the furnace room or other designated area.

Breathe Easy

Young people may smoke as an act of rebellion or to seem grown up. Some people are quite inventive in justifying the habit. One God-fearing man explained that smoke enters the lung and leaves the body, just as food enters the stomach and is excreted. He explained that both products may cause cancer and this is why he doesn't see smoking as any more of a sin than eating.

There is also the story of a Kangiqsujuaq man, a long time ago, who became so angered about losing his tobacco that he refused to feed his dog for weeks.

A lot of Nunavik smokers describe their situation as a "love-hate" relationship with cigarettes, and some are asking "How do I quit?" A number of people were asked by Makivik News about their experiences with tobacco and in, their own way, they are the real experts on the problem.

Makivik President Charlie Watt, who quit smoking last April says, "The first three days are the worst days of your life. After that it starts to level off."

"All you need is the willpower."

Quitting means freedom

Minnie Nappaaluk, a Community Councilor for Kangirsujuaq, smoked for nearly 30 years but has not had a cigarette since 1986. She described how she was short of breath and couldn't keep up with her husband and friends.

"I was weak," she said, "but now (as a result o quitting) I'm proud and happy. I feel free and I am more active." When asked why she decided not to smoke any more, Minnie told how her father and her uncle died of lung cancer. She feared that the same thing could also happen to her.

Rebecca Qumaluk, well known for her accordion music, started smoking at a very young age. She would put the cigarettes aside during her pregnancies until finally she decided to stop smoking for good. Sometimes the smoker is not even aware of the cloud that follows them around. Her children now tell her about how the whole house used to be filled with smoke from her cigarettes.

Matiasi Tulugak, who smoked for a brief period and quit in 1975, also thinks that it would be a good idea to have programs to explain the dangers of tobacco smoke. He talked about the value of the doctors and nurses who promote these facts: "Once, a medical person came to Povungnituk with a video showing the damage to lungs and other health effects. A lot of people quit or cut back after that.

Dr. Hodgins explained that more convincing approaches will be made to inform the residents of Nunavik, where it seems to be the exception rather than the rule to be a non-smoker, rather than the rule to be a non-smoker, about the harm that smokers are doing to themselves. The focus will be on adults who want to stop and young children who have not yet started but are at a vulnerable age to do so.

The body starts to heal itself as soon as person quits smoking, but one first has to quit. Everybody has a choice. There are more and more signs, however, that Nunavik is choosing to join with the rest of Canada in making sure that the air we breathe remains fresh, and also that we live longer to breathe it.