A stand to raise awareness of the harmful effects of smoking in the Marche-en-Famenne snus market

Snus can be used wherever smoking is prohibited, like on airplanes, in offices, restaurants etc. We do however, encourage you to go about it in a considerate manner, especially when disposing of used pouches. Quitting smoking is not so obvious an action to achieve, especially when you are addicted. However, the benefits are numerous. This Monday, in Marche-en-Famenne, a prevention stand on the harmful effects of smoking was installed on the Place aux Foires. A few onlookers, like Geoffray, stopped to blow into a carbon monoxide measuring device. Ah, yeah! The result is final! 32 he exclaims, consulting the screen of the device.

By blowing into this machine, Geoffray was able to directly observe that the carbon monoxide, inhaled via his morning cigarette, was still present in his lungs at the end of the morning. “As an indication, a non-smoker has a score of 3, 4 or 5 maximum. There is always a little carbon monoxide in the air, it depends on our environment”, explains Céline Corman, tobacco specialist. Michel, he has been smoking for 37 years. He is having great difficulty quitting smoking. “I’ve already tried everything, but nothing works… It’s really a very hard fight” he confides to us, a little annoyed by the magnitude of the task.

 

Activities throughout the month of May and everywhere in Wallonia

The aim here is not to stigmatize consumers, but to inform and raise awareness among smokers and non-smokers alike. For a month, the “together towards a new breath” operation will offer various activities (stands, conferences, challenges, workshops, etc.) to quit smoking.” Here, we offer very colourful fun tests to make it more fun. In addition to the breath in the device, we can also take part in an olfactory test. Because tobacco alters taste and smell”, adds BérengèreJanssen of FARES, the fund for respiratory diseases. Faced with the difficulties, smokers are not alone. The help of a tobacco specialist is a significant first step. The consultations are also partially reimbursed by the health insurance fund.