Through a series of emails, surveys and downloads, eKick Butt guides, mentors and empowers to help quit smoking, and make choices for a healthy and non-smoking lifestyle.

It’s no secret that tobacco is extremely harmful, not only for smokers, but for anyone exposed to second-hand and third-hand smoke. Says Elize Joubert CANSA’s acting CEO, "Tobacco contains nicotine, a powerful and highly addictive substance, and most tobacco products deliver nicotine to the brain very effectively, bringing on the rapid onset and maintenance of addiction. This addiction leads to the unfortunate situation where an otherwise motivated, knowledgeable person, who understands the risks of tobacco, continues to use it."

The CANSA eKick Butt programme, which supplies a series of handy, tried and tested tools, helps smokers to combat this addiction and helps them quit for good. Since launching four years ago, the programme has supported nearly 4000 people who wanted to quit smoking.

Tobacco-related diseases kills over 44 000 South Africans and six million people worldwide annually. Tobacco usage increases the risk of cancer of the lungs, oesophagus, mouth, bladder, pancreas, kidney, stomach, cervix and breast. Smoking during pregnancy and exposure to second-hand smoke are both linked to miscarriages, low birth weights and stillbirths, and babies who breathe in second-hand smoke have a higher risk of sudden death infant syndrome (SIDS).

"It’s not only cigarettes that are harmful to health; hookah pipe smoking, cigars and snuff has just as detrimental effect on health, and electronic cigarettes have not been scientifically proven to be safe either," adds Joubert.

CANSA encourages all to be part of the global movement to raise awareness about World No Tobacco Day by pledging to be tobacco-free and share a message on the CANSA website:

  • Write a message on the CANSA website wall;
  • Share a photo of yourself with your pledge or message on CANSA’s social media platforms using the hashtag #KickButtWorldNoTobaccoDay; and
  • Pledge a donation to help CANSA to educate and reduce the cancer risk. A R300 donation will enable CANSA to produce 600 educational pamphlets about the dangers of tobacco, making the public aware of screening available, cancer symptoms and how to reduce cancer risk.

Time to stop

Quitting tobacco use can have a positive effect on your health and lifestyle including: reducing the risk of cancer and respiratory diseases; lower heart rate and blood pressure; breathing better and being able to walk without shortness of breath; living a longer and healthier life; having more physical energy; and being a good role model for children.

Timeline of quitting

  • 20 minutes after last cigarette: blood pressure and pulse rate drops; and body temperature rises toward normal;
  • Eight hours after quitting: carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal; and oxygen level rises to normal;
  • 24 hours after quitting: chance of a heart attack decreases;
  • 48 hours after quitting: nerve endings start re-growing; and ability to smell and taste is enhanced;
  • After two weeks to three months: circulation improves; walking becomes easier; and lung function improves;
  • After one to nine months: decrease in coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath;
  • After one year: excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker;
  • After five to 15 years: stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked;
  • After 10 years: risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that of continuing smokers; risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases; and risk of ulcer decreases; and
  • After 15 years: risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that of people who have never smoked; and risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked.


"World No Tobacco Day (Sunday, 31 May) is as good a time as any to make the choice to empower yourself and kick butt for a healthy and happy life. How great it would it be to celebrate with thousands of others, your tobacco-free life." concludes Joubert.

For more information, call +27 11 616-7662 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, visit CANSA's website.

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