Leave The Pack Behind is an open minded, campus program about tobacco and smoking.

We are here for students who are smokers, ex-smokers, non-smokers and social smokers alike.

As a provincially funded, peer-to-peer program, we promote smoking cessation, protect non-smokers, expose industry tactics, and lobby for policy change. Our student-teams design and implement year-long, campus-specific communication campaigns to promote LTPB's programs and services - we run on 41 Ontario campuses and reach about 98% of the post-secondary population! LTPB offers self-help programs including SMOKE|QUIT booklets for those who smoke and U KNOW U WANT 2 booklets for friends of smokers.

Physical activity requires good respiratory functioning. The lungs must effectively breathe in air to acquire oxygen that the muscles need in order to function.

Did you know…
Exposure to cigarette smoke causes stress and inflammation in the mucus membranes of the airways and lungs leading to shortness of breath, coughing, sore throat, and difficulty breathing.
When muscles don’t get the O2 they need for physical activity, they just don’t work as well as they could!

Hey Athletes! Smoking affects the body’s ability to produce collagen, so common sports injuries such as damage to tendons and ligaments will heal more slowly in smokers.

The Good News!
Research shows that shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, respiratory functions and cardiovascular functions can all be improved with cessation AND not only can they be drastically improved, the changes are almost immediate!

Q: What if I don’t have the time or money to go to the gym?

Only 5-15 minutes of moderate physical activity are needed to reduce withdrawal symptoms, alleviate cravings, reduce stress and enhance mood!

Any of these will work:

Go for a brisk walk Hike Lift weights Canoe Play a pick-up game (Basketball, hockey, frisbie, soccer) Golf

Dance Spin/bicycle Yoga Run Rock climb Swim

Areas to exercise include, but not limited to:

The great outdoors Your house A gym / fitnes centre (school, the YMCA, etc.)

Exercising doesn’t have to be expensive… in fact, it can be FREE! Stop by the gym on campus and check out the free classes you can take advantage of..