Just Say No To Big Tobacco Co.

This song was inspired by members of 'Tobacco Fighters and Survivors Club,' a Smoking Reduction and Cessation Group for people living with mental illnesses, which I run. I am a registered nurse. I wrote the song in the hope that it might spark people to look at and express their smoking stories in new and creative ways, using any kind of art form they are personally drawn to, whether it be music, writing, visual arts, drama, comedy, dance, etc. I like to think that the process of looking at and telling a story has potential to lead us humans in new directions.
The music video is a collaborative project between myself and the group members, with the small required budget provided by my employer, The Vancouver Island Health Authority. The song was inspired by the poignant smoking stories I hear every week from people who are often angry with themselves for smoking. Approximately 75% of people living with schizophrenia smoke, and people living with mental illnesses in general tend to smoke at more than double the rate of the general population, so these people are disproportionately impacted by the negative consequences (physical, financial, emotional, and social) of smoking. I myself smoked heavily from the ages of 12 to 31, so I know the addiction well. Quitting smoking was one of the most difficult but most self affirming things I have ever done, and I hope this song and video will be helpful to other people.
It must be noted that there is a big difference between nicotine delivered via tobacco products and the nicotine delivered via nicotine replacement products (NRT) like the patch, gum, lozenge, and inhaler - all of which have been very helpful to my clients. Smokers are already addicted to nicotine - the powerfully addictive but NOT carcinogenic drug that keeps people using tobacco products - so using NRT allows them to get that drug in a clean, much healthier way. Cigarette smoke contains 7000 chemicals, approximately 60 of them carcinogens, so NRT is harm reduction, and recommended for smoking reduction and cessation.
Rest in Peace Barry.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• quit
• smoking
• tobacco
• companies
• stop
• cigarettes
• mental
• illness
• schizophrenia
• bipolar
• depression
• smober
• up

[ess1243]

A great video and a really important message. Thank you!

[Joan4884]

Thanks ess1234!!

[cindyjo57]

Did I recognize Fan Tan Ally? 5* I recently quit smoking with hypnosis. Have not had a puff since.

[Joan4884]

Yes. Beautiful, cool Fan Tan Alley. Good work with the quitting smoking!!! I'd love to hear more about it - like how many sessions of hypnosis, approximate costs, easy or difficult aspects of quitting that way, whether or not you also used nicotine replacement therapy etc. Anything you would tell another smoker about it. Are you still in Victoria?

[Joan4884]

Thanks Sean. Nice of you. You rock!

[Joan4884]

Please read the text to the right of the video for a more thorough explanation of its purpose. (You have to click on 'more info').

[miaka29]

Great to hear that Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg are devoting so much money and energy to the cause of fighting big tobacco.

[node357]

Great job! It's me, Sean J. Thanks for doing this song, it rocks! Good job everyone!

[celadonhonu]

Your actors are great! I love the song and the background...everything is cool! My mentally ill brother is a heavy smoker. I wish the best for your smoking cessation group.

[Joan4884]

Thanks very much for the positive and wonderful comments. It makes being on youtube a lot of fun.