March 6, 2000
(Health and Community Services)

Minister announces Class of 2000 Smoking Prevention Scholarship

Roger Grimes, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced a Class of 2000 Smoking Prevention Scholarship program at Cowan Heights Elementary in St. John�s. To recognize youth who have made the commitment to be smoke-free, the minister is offering 12 graduating students in Newfoundland and Labrador an opportunity to each receive a $500 scholarship to assist with post-secondary education.

The minister also participated in the opening of a time capsule at the St. John�s school marking the culmination of the Class of 2000 Smoking Prevention program which was launched with grade two students in this province in May 1990. The goal of the program is to promote a smoke-free generation by the year 2000. As students progressed through the school system, new activities reinforcing the smoke-free message were introduced into the curriculum. To mark the start of the program many of these students signed smoke-free pledges which were held in a time capsule to be opened in the year 2000 - their graduating year. Other time capsules will be opened at schools around the province at various times over the coming months.

Minister Grimes said: "The Class of 2000 Smoking Prevention Program has been important in promoting and reinforcing the smoke-free message. In recognition of youth who have made the commitment to be smoke-free, and to mark the end of this program, we are pleased to make available 12 Class of 2000 Smoking Prevention Scholarships, valued at $500 each, for graduating students in Newfoundland and Labrador." The scholarship program supports the province�s efforts to reduce smoking among youth, and complements the work of the Teen Tobacco Team announced late last year.

The Class of 2000 Smoking Prevention Scholarships will be distributed to applicants throughout the province with two scholarships being awarded in each of the six Health and Community Services regions.

Scholarship applicants must: be a member of the graduating class of 2000; pursue a post secondary education; be smoke-free; write a 250 word essay on the benefits of being smoke free; sign a Smoke-Free pledge; and complete an application form. Students who currently smoke are also eligible to apply for the scholarships if they quit their tobacco use by March 20. Winners will be announced in September. These scholarships are not based on a student�s grade point average.

The Class of 2000 Smoking Prevention Program was initially started as part of an international program to encourage non-smoking and was launched provincially by the departments of Health and Community Services and Education. It is supported by the Lung Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The event at Cowan Heights Elementary was part of a larger celebration commemorating 25 years of education excellence at the school. March 5-11 is also Education Week.

Media contact: Carl Cooper, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

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