Anti-Tobacco Strategy Focuses On Youth

The McGuinty announced new funding today that protects young people by discouraging them from smoking.

In support of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act coming into effect May 31, the program is in support students making healthy lifestyle choices.

Full details are contained in the release below.

**********************

Funding announced today by the McGuinty government will help youth to choose not to smoke in our district. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit will be receiving additional funding for youth tobacco control from the Ministry of Health Promotion. The government is also extending the $500,000 high school grant program in support of student-led activities across the province.

The health of our youth is a priority and we’re pleased that the Ministry of Health Promotion is investing in our youth,” said Wendy Carew, Director of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention. “Peer programs are an effective way to help youth remain smoke-free.”

Last year, eight local high schools participated in the North Bay Parry Sound District high school grant program. High school initiatives included cessations programming to help youth quit smoking, quit and win contests, poster contests and the creation of anti-tobacco ads.

“The additional funding for high school programs helps us to continue our support at a critical time,” said Melanie Simms, health promoter with the Tobacco Control Program. “The students will have even more support to reduce smoking and achieve a healthy lifestyle with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act coming into effect May 31.”

Highlights of the government’s youth tobacco control priorities for 2006-07 include:

- An additional $3.8 million to support youth prevention efforts, including expansion of the successful Youth Action Alliance (YAA) program to all 36 public health units province wide. The Youth Advocacy Training Institute will also be expanded to provide additional support for the new YAAs. The reach of the “Leave the Pack Behind” post-secondary campus prevention program will also be increased through this investment.

- A new stupid.ca public education campaign slated to start in a few weeks, developed by and for young people and paid for by the Government of Ontario. This investment is just the latest example of how the McGuinty government is working to protect the health and well-being of Ontario families. Other initiatives include:

- Introducing the Smoke-Free Ontario Act to prevent avoidable illness and death through a ban on smoking in enclosed public places and enclosed workplaces

- Making it more difficult under the new act for minors to acquire tobacco products by prohibiting retailers from selling to customers who appear to be less than 25 years old unless they provide specific identification showing they are at least 19.

For more information on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, call the Health Unit at (705) 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808 or visit our website at www.nbdhu.on.ca

**********************