Youth Taking ACTION Against Tobacco Industry

Source from:  stratfordgazette.com 11/26/2007

From the Perth District Health Unit This week, youth in Perth County have been taking ACTION to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco products and the lies and deceptions marketed by the tobacco industry. ACTION Week runs Nov. 18-24 and stands for Advocates Challenging the Tobacco Industry in Ontario Now. Youth Action Alliance's across the province are participating, including our local Perth County THINK group. THINK is a youth-led, youth-driven initiative to prevent tobacco usage and denormalize the tobacco industry. "Youth listen to their peers," said Philip Mills, youth adviser, in a press release. "It is important for youth to share this message with their peers as the majority of new smokers begin before the age of 18." As part of ACTION Week, THINK and the Perth District Health Unit are running awareness activities in local high schools across Perth County. Activities include: ? tape and chalk outlines on the pavement and school hallways to represent the 44 victims of tobacco use in Ontario each day; ? an accompanying banner saying "You have more to live for than the tobacco industry"; ? posters hung at each school with tobacco-use prevention messaging; ? daily announcements to denormalize the tobacco industry and raise awareness about their lies and deceptive marketing tactics. ACTION week was created by the Smoke-Free Ontario Provincial Youth Task Group and runs in association with National Drug Awareness Week. This is a week dedicated to unite youth and young adults involved in the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy and present a united front against the tobacco industry. For more information, call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267. Listowel area residents call 1-877-271-7348 ext 267. Or visit the THINK website smoke-fx.com/local/perth. Enditem